Bellevue Civic Leader Kemper Freeman Shares Insights with South King County Leaders about Developing Vibrant Downtowns in Auburn and Federal Way

May 7, 2014

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l-r: Pete von Reichbauer, Federal Way Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge, Kemper Freeman, Federal Way City Councilmember Kelly Maloney, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer welcomed Bellevue civic leader, real estate developer, and former state representative Kemper Freeman to the monthly “Good Eggs” Breakfast at Twin Lakes Country Club in Federal Way. Freeman shared his insights on how Bellevue has been able to transition from a sprawling suburb full of strip malls to a vibrant, world-class city.

“Kemper has done incredible things for the City of Bellevue, both in business and in the community,” said von Reichbauer. “Today, South King County is facing many of the same issues that confronted Bellevue decades ago, and I am optimistic that our leaders can learn from the lessons Kemper Freeman shared.”

Kemper Freeman is a third-generation Bellevue resident. He served in the state legislature before retiring to focus on his growing family real estate development company. His company developed, and now manages, Bellevue Square, Bellevue Place, and Lincoln Square, which occupy 50 acres of land in Downtown Bellevue.

Councilmember von Reichbauer hosts a breakfast each month for local political, business, civic, and education leaders as a way to promote regional dialogue and unity. These breakfasts encourage leaders to think about various issues of great importance to the diverse and evolving constituencies of South King County.