Best Buy applies for remodel to accommodate NE Fourth extension

Best Buy is seeking construction permits from the city of Bellevue to remodel its storefront on 120th Avenue Northeast to make way for a city project to extend Northeast Fourth Street and recover lost retail and parking space.

By Brandon Macz • January 28, 2014 5:57 pm
Phase 2 of the city of Bellevue's Northeast Fourth Street extension is slated to begin in 2015 from the old BNSF Railway section to 120th Avenue Northeast. Best Buy has filed suit over the city's decision to run the extension through a portion of its Bellevue store.
Phase 2 of the city of Bellevue's Northeast Fourth Street extension is slated to begin in 2015 from the old BNSF Railway section to 120th Avenue Northeast. Best Buy has filed suit over the city's decision to run the extension through a portion of its Bellevue store.

Best Buy is seeking construction permits from the city of Bellevue to remodel its storefront on 120th Avenue Northeast to make way for a city project to extend Northeast Fourth Street and recover lost retail and parking space.

A new five-lane arterial Northeast Fourth is planned to cut through the south end of the Best Buy store and parking lot during Phase Two of the project, slated to start in 2015 with the entire roadway opened by fall 2016.

The city is exercising eminent domain to run its transportation project through a portion of the Best Buy store, however, the retail company has also filed suit over the city’s actions. Both the city and Best Buy are now working toward a settlement, the details of which are not being commented on, said Emily Christensen with the city of Bellevue.

The Northeast Fourth extension, from where it ends at 116th Avenue Northeast to 120th Avenue Northeast, is part of several projects to improve mobility between downtown Bellevue, the Bel-Red corridor and Overlake area.

Best Buy is requesting the city’s permission to demolish 11,021 square feet of retail space on the south side of its Bellevue store and add 9,964 square feet to its north side. The store is also seeking to construct a single-story parking garage on its east side to accommodate up to 226 vehicles.

Christensen said the request appears to be a forward-thinking approach by Best Buy on how best to deal with the effect the transportation project will have on its Bellevue store. Brendon Stuckey, Best Buy development manager, declined to comment while the company works toward a settlement, adding the construction project submitted to the city is not set in stone.

Phase One construction included condemnation of portions of other properties, which has been completed. Construction for Phase One of the project is anticipated to continue through 2014.