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 On August 18th, the City of bellevue had their 2020 Virtual Walk. Feedback was solicited from our community in preparation to be shared at the walk and in general. Below is the compilation of all the feedback received. Thank you to all those who participated.

 

Eastgate Community Association – Aug 2020
Compiled from members of the Eastgate community
August 4, 2020

Stories, Anecdotes & Concerns shared by community members for the August 2020 Virtual Neighborhood Walk.
·         “I was humbled by a friend/neighbor reaching out asking for help picking up a prescription. They were not comfortable going out. They knew I was working and would follow protocols recommended by public health.  I was thrilled to help and glad they reached out. This is how we take care of one another.”

·         “I’m an introvert who grew up in a small town where everyone knows everyone.  So, despite my inclinations, I make an effort to know all my immediate neighbors and have their cell #’s & emails.  

Except the folks across the street.  We’ve been neighbors for years, but whenever I’ve waved or smiled and call out a greeting, they have mostly just looked past me, or occasionally raised their eyebrows, as if to say, ‘What?!?’  Trying to connect was clearly a lost cause, and I just gave up. 

Then, about 6 weeks into the lockdown, as I was taking out the green waste, the mother of the household came purposefully to the edge of her driveway.  She looked right at me—for the first time in 8 years! —and gave a tentative smile. 

So, I asked how things were going for them, how she was doing.   She talked about how very, very hard the lockdown was for her, how she felt really emotionally challenged by both the lockdown and the pandemic itself.   

We talked from our separate sides of the street for about 10 minutes, and she seemed to be feeling a bit better by the time we parted.   

I’m glad for that, and happy to have some small connection after all.”

 ·         “We have been looking for ways to do things that relieves the frustration and boredom of living here in the neighborhood with COVID. We took a day trip to La Conner and enjoyed the scenery and a nice lunch on their waterfront. Outdoor dining has been a nice way to socialize with friends. Also, the return to golf has been a godsend to be able to get outdoors, recreate and then have a nice socially distanced 19th hole libation. Zoom yoga classes have also allowed us to do some stress relieving exercise with friends on screen.”

·         “Neighbors are sharing produce, helping with lawn care, shopping for others, picking up items for others, using Next-door to stay in touch and informed.  One concern is all the huge homes being built in our neighborhood and the noise that goes with it, also higher real estate taxes.”

·         “with the pandemic it has been wonderful to see so many more people out walking and talking with each other”

·         “I am delighted to hear the sound of children’s voices outside.”

·         “I am impressed that the majority of people I know are trying to help others as much as they can, whether it’s support by keeping in touch via, telephone, email, zoom, or snail mail, by thanking those who are putting their lives at risk in so many ways, by making financial contributions, or doing whatever they can to help us all get through each day.”

·         “I have seen more nice gardens and landscaping projects in different parts of our neighborhood.  It adds some beauty to our walks” 

Concerns (concise)

1.      Crime & safety, both personal and property, especially during this time of talk of defunding police

2.      PSE’s high voltage lines (to be erected) along the Olympic gas pipeline by Tyee Middle School

3.      Traffic congestion

4.      Road construction – why is MORE not being done now when many fewer people are out and about due to COVID.

5.      The changing character of the neighborhood (MN/Jaymarc McMansions)

6.      Development/Increasing property values that could drive out middle class residents due to significantly higher taxes

 Primary Question for City Leaders (presented to City Leaders on August 18th during the “Walk”)

Crime and safety concerns topped the list when expressed by members of the Eastgate community. Especially during these crazy times with rioting and looting around us, seeming lawlessness in Seattle and COVID exacerbated by concerns over the building of a large low-barrier homeless shelter in our neighborhood – what is the City of Bellevue’s plan to ensure the safety of its citizens and protect them?

 Questions / Concerns (detailed)

·         How is the city managing/assessing future projects, such as a new park, with the tax base decreasing due to Covid? More residents will look to area resources to replace travel plans, etc. which could be long term. Neighborhood parks would be great to bring people together outdoors without creating chaos. 

·         TRAFFIC CONGESTION – even though it is better than prior to COVID, I will see congestion during rush hour along Factoria and Eastgate Way.  What is the City’s plan to alleviate this?

·         ROAD CONSTRUCTION – city needs to do a better job of taking advantage of COVID when many people are telecommuting and staying home more.  The crosswalk project on Kamber (at bottom of staircase) was scheduled for this year, but there has been no action. Why not?

·         What is the City’s plan to mitigate the potential dangers posed by PSE’s plan to erect high voltage poles across Tyee Middle School’s property within feet “of the Olympic pipeline, a 50-year-old pipe that carries millions of gallons of jet fuel and gasoline through our neighborhoods on a daily basis. A discharge of high-voltage electricity into the pipeline can compromise the coating. If that causes a breach, the ensuing fire can be “catastrophic,” according to our fire department, which doesn’t have the resources or personnel to handle a pipeline fire. Firemen would simply evacuate the neighborhood while we waited for an emergency response team to come from SeaTac airport.” (quote from Nextdoor, Don Marsh’s post – he said it well)  This project risks the lives of 100s of students!

·         Crime, especially property crime, and personal safety

The changing character of the neighborhood particularly 1) the invasion of MN Construction and Jaymarc building mansions all over the neighborhood and 2) The proliferation of rentals versus owner occupied, particularly of absentee owners, and owners and renters who show no interest in the upkeep of the house or the yard, or the impact on the neighborhood. 

 

Property values increasing due to Eastgate’s beneficial location but also the influx of mansions that increase the overall home values. This prices out Middle-class people who cannot afford to pay market rates for home ownership or even rental prices. Property tax increases is starting to force out fixed income and lower income owners who can no longer afford the high property taxes

 

·         Neighborhood Concerns- 

#1 is Safety. With the insanity and lack of civility going on in Seattle with the rioting and looting, we have had some neighbors ask us if the rioters and looters are coming to this neighborhood. We support a strong police presence and the arrest of people who loot, riot, destroy property and break laws. We do not believe in the defunding of any law enforcement agencies. We believe more in the continued relevant training of police officers, improvement of policing tactics and ways to improve policing. Also we believe that there needs to be more education on the respect for law, proper behavior when confronted by a police officer, the importance of having police with regard to the safety of citizens and the community. This should start in schools as part of the education of government, civics and political science classes. 

#2 Homeless encampments should not be allowed and cleaned up so that there is no spread of disease; ie COVID. The community should continue to work on the problem with real world solutions. 

#3 COVID restrictions should be eased and schools should open. Restaurants should be left to manage their operations so that can continue to be profitable and operate within reasonable guidelines.

·         1- Is city enforcement of codes solely complaint driven, or is their proactive management? 

Not far from my home are homes with excessively long grass, cars parked on the lawn, or furniture/appliances left in the yard. (One case there has been a white kitchen table thrown in the yard, coming up on 2 years) 

 

2- As Highland Drive turns into 150th Ave SE there was once a flashing radar sign. Following city construction at the curve, it was removed. People speed around that corner and often nearly lose control. Turning on or off 150 Ave SE at that bend is now hazardous, and my neighbors and I have nearly been broad misused on a couple of occasions. 

 

In the past two years I have contacted two different individuals with the city who both knew immediately of where I spoke. Both promised to investigate and respond to me, and neither have. Where do I take this safety concern? 

 

·         I am most disillusioned by those who continue to ignore scientific information that strongly encourages us to wear masks and socially distance, thinking they are exempt/special or do not care.

 

 It would be nice if the City Council could have more clout in helping non-conformers to conform to the majority.

 

Yesterday at Sammamish State Park I saw 15 people come together for a picnic–no one wore a mask or distanced. Would be nice if Park personnel asked them to comply with numbers recommended to be together, wear masks, +/or socially distance, or leave…

 

·         Concerns that smaller more affordable homes are not being built.  Are big developers asked/required to build some affordable homes along with all the monster/box homes? Just some thoughts

 

·         Thoughts on making Wi-Fi for all, especially now with people confined to their homes and education online. 

 

·         There is a car engine wrapped in blue plastic sitting in the street gutter on 146th and near Eastgate Drive.  I’d like to see some enforcement of people leaving trash, numerous parked cars and junk in their yards and street, and what the City is doing to enforce those rules.