City adopts Newport and Crossroads neighborhood plans

Published October 28 2025

Downtown area redesignated as a Metropolitan Regional Center

The City Council adopted the Newport and Crossroads neighborhood area plans at last week's meeting, marking the culmination of 15 months of engagement with the community. The plans were updated through the Great Neighborhoods program, which ensures that each of Bellevue's 16 neighborhood areas has a clear, community-informed vision for the future.

"Newport and Crossroads are two distinct neighborhoods, yet share similar priorities," said Mayor Lynne Robinson. "Each neighborhood plan reflects their unique character, and the solutions are tailored to match that neighborhood while staying true to our citywide goals and vision. Seeing these communities shaping their future and vibrant community heart is inspiring."

Prior to adoption, the council reviewed the recommended Crossroads and Newport plan updates in September, following the Planning Commission's recommendation for approval over the summer.

As part of the city's Comprehensive Plan-which outlines overarching city policies for housing, transportation, parks, sustainability and more over the next 20 years-neighborhood area plans play an important role in addressing changing needs and conditions at the local level.

Launched in 2018, the Great Neighborhoods program updates two neighborhood plans each year, systematically responding to anticipated future growth while incorporating guidance and direction from the community. These updated plans ensure neighborhood priorities remain central to Bellevue's long-term vision.

Bellevue will complete updates to the Eastgate and Factoria neighborhood area plans in 2026. Updates to the Lake Hills and West Lake Sammamish plans will follow in 2027, with the West Bellevue and Woodridge plans scheduled for 2028.

The council also amended the downtown plan to support redesignating downtown Bellevue as a Metropolitan Regional Center by the Puget Sound Regional Council. This designation recognizes the downtown area's role as an economic hub in the region and enables the city to continue competing for federal transportation funding administered by the regional council.
Community members can review the adopted plans in the council meeting agenda materials, available online for Newport, Crossroads and Downtown.

About the City of Bellevue

Known as a "City in a Park" with nearly 100 parks and a vast network of trails and greenbelts, Bellevue is the fifth largest city in Washington. The Eastside city spans 33.5 square miles from Lake Washington to Lake Sammamish. As part of the Innovation Triangle, Bellevue is the high-tech and retail center with a downtown skyline of gleaming high-rises, a diverse population of more than 155,000 and schools that are consistently rated among the best in the country.