Bellevue is seeking approval to convert 1.06 acres of Mercer Slough Nature Park land to transportation uses to support Sound Transit’s East Link extension.

As light rail will run along Bellevue Way Southeast, the city is making its request to the State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board and National Park Service, and plans to replace lost parkland to the north and south by purchasing and adding six acres of parkland to the east.

Parkland lost in the conversion is valued at $495,000, while the replacement property is valued at $633,120. The city is required to replace lost land in the Mercer Slough Nature Park under conditions of a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and other grants received in the 1970s.

The Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board will hear a presentation about the proposal 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Bellevue Golf Course Clubhouse Conference Room. Public comment will be accepted at this meeting.

The golf course is located at 5500 140th Ave. N.E.  Comments will be accepted until Sept. 19. Written comments can be sent to Camron Parker, senior planner, via email at cparker@bellevuewa.gov, or mail to Bellevue Parks, Attn: Camron Parker, P. O. Box 90012, Bellevue, WA 98009-9012.  Commenters can call (425) 452-2032 with any questions.