History and Growth

History and Growth Bellevue was founded in 1869 by William Meydenbauer and was officially incorporated on 21 March 1953. Prior to the opening of Lake Washington Floating Bridge (the first pontoon bridge on Lake Washington) in 1940, Bellevue was a rural community. After completion of the construction of the bridge, Bellevue is better connected with Seattle and the area gradually grew. Austin Condominiums After the inauguration of a second in 1963, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (also a pontoon bridge), the city began to grow rapidly and Bellevue eventually became one of the largest cities in the state, with several towers in the center of the city and much commerce. A reflection of the growth for the year of Bellevue Bellevue Square, now one of the largest shopping centers in this region. Opened in 1946, Bellevue Square underwent a significant expansion in the eighties.More recent, an expansion to Bellevue Square along Bellevue Way called "The Lodge" and the new One Lincoln Tower tower next to the Bellevue Square Bellevue solidify downtown as the east side last destinacci n for shopping and dining. After a slump in 2000, Bellevue is growing again. The first phase of Ashwood Commons, a mostly residential tower has been completed recently. A second tower (office) is under construction at Lincoln Square, a new urban mixed-use with a Safeway supermarket as the headquarters and luxury apartments (Avalon Meydenbauer) and two towers of luxury condominiums (Bellevue Towers) and construction was started . Another development similar to Lincoln Square is planned for the current Safeway site. Washington Square, a "superblock" that will cover nine blocks and eventually include six towers of 22 floors.Other projects in Bellevue's future include Meydenbauer Place, a performing arts center, a second tower City Center office (which began construction in July 2006), three more residential towers, and finally abandoned construction site Tech Tower has resumed, now called Tower 333.