2 Bellevue businesses set for relocation

BELLEVUE — Two prominent Bellevue organizations plan to relocate their offices in the new year. Come January, the city's chamber of commerce along with the travel and tourism bureau intend to move from their downtown addresses to Bellevue's city building, 3000 Seneca Industrial Parkway. Regarding both relocations, finances played the biggest factor in this decision. Basically, the two organizations couldn't afford to keep paying rent due to a lack of funding. Bellevue Mayor Kevin Strecker and others allowed the city's chamber of commerce the space without paying rent. But the travel and tourism bureau will be charged a discounted price. "The move will save the chamber about $7,000 a year," Strecker said. "We already have the space, and, to me, it is important to our community." It also provides for great collaborative opportunities, chamber director Pam Verhoff said. "With this upcoming move, the chamber and tourism bureau will have a chance to work more closely with the city," Verhoff said. "It will help us promote Bellevue and our community's many unique businesses, not only to our residents but to visitors as well."