FOGC News
FOGC Steering Committee March Meeting
Friends of the Grand Connction gathered in March to receive project updates and discuss building the case for corporate and private philanthropic support of the Grand Connection Crossing.
A general concensus appears to have developed a this point in the process around the cost, scope and early design of a linear park and dedicated bike/pedestrian structure that will cross I-405 and connect downtown Bellevue with the Wilburton District and the Eastrail.
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Crossing width: The crossing will be a minimum of 30 feet wide and widen up to 40 feet to cross over I-405.
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Mode separation: There will be separate paths for people walking and rolling to improve safety for all users.
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Landscaping: Landscaping will be incorporated along the entire crossing.
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Gathering space: There will be gathering space at either end of the crossing. In addition, the city will coordinate with adjacent private development to provide additional public space.
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Vertical connections: There will be one mid-crossing public access point with an elevator and stairway.
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City Hall Plaza: The existing plaza will be modified to accommodate public gathering and improved access for those biking, walking and rolling to and from the crossing.
In addition, the City of Bellevue hired Campbell and Company to talk with the community about building the case for philanthropic support of the project. Campbell and Company worked with the steering committee to help identify aspects of the project that would appeal to corporate and private funders.
Take the Grand Connection Crossing Survey by November 8th
Be sure to visit the City of Bellevue online open house by November 6 to view Grand Connection Crossing project updates and take the survey to provide your feedback on the initial design concept for the crossing.
For visualization purposes only. Not an actual structural design.
Bellevue Downtown Association study tour to The High Line in NYC
The Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) recently participated in a study tour to view and experience New York City’s iconic elevated pedestrian corridor, The High Line.
The study group met with city and community leaders there to better understand how they developed The High Line, how members of local and tourist communities use and view the corridor, and lessons learned from design, construction and maintenance to funding models and community activation strategies. The group will apply knowledge gained from the trip in the development, construction and operation of an iconic Grand Connection Crossing.
The study group included members of the BDA, the Friends of the Grand Connection executive and steering committees, and elected and staff leadership from both Bellevue and Kirkland.
“We learned a great deal that we can apply in Bellevue from this study tour,” said Patrick Bannon, President & CEO of the Bellevue Downtown Association and co-chair of the Friends of the Grand Connection. “We found out what worked, what didn’t, what we can apply in our community and what we’d like to do differently.”
“Bellevue isn’t New York City so we want to be sure that we create an iconic structure and experience that reflects our community, while learning from their experience,” Bannon said.