BELLEVUE, Wash. -- Dozens of homeowners in south Bellevue say they're being held hostage by Sound Transit, and they're afraid commuter trains could soon be running right through their backyards.

Right now, it looks as though a light rail will someday run right along 112th Avenue in Bellevue. It's unclear if the train will be elevated or on the street, but either way the rail may run through the backyards of some of the homes in the neighborhood.

Susan Ilvanakis moved into her Surry Downs house ten years ago and says she's disappointed and frustrated by Sound Transit's plans.

"It's right on our property," she said. "You're going to see it anyways, and you'll feel it and you'll hear it."

Sound Transit's online maps show the proposed route, but there's still no final decision on the plan. A spokesman said it's way too early in the process to know if the company will need to buy out any homeowners.

This long decision process, which began in 2008, may not be complete until late 2013, and homeowners say that keeps them in limbo.

"We can't repair, we can't replace, we can't paint, we don't want to spend money not knowing how long we will be here," said homeowner Arjun Sirohi.

Last week during the Bellevue Downtown Association’s (BDA) member appreciation event, we got a preview peek at Cast Iron Studios. Operated by the Heavy Restaurant Group and described as “downtown Bellevue’s newest event and culinary activity space,” the business is poised to serve as a private event venue, catering hub, and location for regular food and drink workshops.

Said Larry Kurofsky, owner of Heavy Restaurant Group, “We are excited to have the opportunity of sharing our culinary passion with food enthusiasts as well as offer the region’s top businesses a new and exciting space for all levels of events. The space has been designed to comfortably accommodate everything from an intimate private gathering to a large corporate event to our specialty workshops.” 

Heavy Restaurant Group operates Purple Café and Wine Bar, Barrio Mexican Kitchen & Bar, and Lot No. 3 Gastropub in Bellevue, Kirkland, Seattle and Woodinville.

Yesterday, while about two dozen people with a union protested the two new Walmart stores scheduled to open soon in Bellevue, Walmart’s Jennifer Spall spoke to about 60 members of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon at the Bellevue Hyatt.

The Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations in Oregon and Washington, Spall noted that the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) protestors’ complaints have no credence.

During her luncheon presentation, Spall underscored Walmart’s commitment to Bellevue employees and the community. For example, she noted that many small businesses owners at the Kelsey Creek Center foresee the new Walmart Neighborhood Market as a boon to business.