Newport Hills Community Club

My Dear Neighbors,
I write to you with an extraordinary amount of joy and excitement! I went and testified to the 2 items in the last post at the Bellevue City Council meeting last night. Well, the stars lined up because after my testimony, I received some incredible news:

As soon as I finished speaking Mayor Davidson said that he had some good news to share and then City Manager Steve Sarkozy shared the great news – that on the consent calendar that evening the council would approve the purchase of this land – known technically as the ‘Tyler Homes Purchase’. It was met with thundering applause and was an amazing feeling to receive that news in the council chambers!

As stated by Mr Sarkozy, this morning the open land on SE 60th has now been PURCHASED by the City of Bellevue for use as park in Newport Hills!! We have a new park on arrival! I was aware that the city had shown interest in this land previously, but it only “recently” went up for sale and as many of you know, information cannot be made public during negotiations. I was NOT aware that this settlement was this close and so the timing was incredible and exciting that on the night we made the request it was granted. How is THAT for service? :-)

I am grateful to the City Parks and Recreation for actively engaging in this piece of land as use of Park vs. development in Newport Hills and for City Council approving the purchase. As Mr. Sarkozy stated, the City and Parks department is well aware that we are a community underserved by parks and I am grateful that they kept this knowledge in the forefront and stayed diligent for us here in Newport Hills.

My understanding in speaking with a member of the Parks Department that even though now purchased, development of a formal park could take some years, just to prepare everyone. However, I would think that should be acceptable as it is a wonderful clear green space and most important, any fear of development can now be taken off the table.

Two items that are remaining and that the City will be following up with me on:
1. The city will supply the tentative renovation timeline that they currently or will have soon for the turf build at Newport Hills Park.
2. A firm answer from the Parks department of whether or not we will be able to continue our 4th of July Picnic at the Newport Hills Park after turf is installed.

The Community Club will stay in contact on these items and relay news as we receive it on any future communications surrounding the park. A big CHEER for Newport Hills goes out today!

A quick note – I would not suggest we all go running through the property yet until we have a confirmed GO from the city as there are still closing items and personal property on this piece of land. I will send a note when I receive communication from the city when there is no more personal property located on the land. We need to respect the current land owner who I believe is also a neighbor of ours.

Thank you all for your support an to Cheryl Nygaard, Ilene Moe and Lisa Vierick who attended with me to provide audience support.

Michelle Hilhorst
NHCC President

P.S. – Bellevue City Council meetings are shown on channel 21 LIVE each Monday a council meeting or study session is held. You may be able to catch a repeat of last nights meeting sometime this week or most likely after the next council meeting airs if you would like to hear the events and the applause that came with it.