Tuesday open house to preview ideas for re-defining south downtown

May 13, 2009 4:25 pm
This image shows the area of south downtown Bellevue – specifically Northeast 2nd Street and Main Street – that will be discussed during an open house Tuesday.
This image shows the area of south downtown Bellevue – specifically Northeast 2nd Street and Main Street – that will be discussed during an open house Tuesday.

An open house on May 19 will give the public a chance to provide input on the future look and feel of two roadways that are due for changes along downtown Bellevue’s southern edge.

The Conceptual Design Open House for Northeast Second and Main streets will take place 4-7 p.m. at City Hall (450 110th Avenue Northeast).

The city’s goal is to define the southern part of downtown as a unique neighborhood, according to a release.

Early phases of the design work are expected to be completed later this year.

Attendees at the open house can see the latest ideas for lane configurations and streetscapes for both streets under consideration. They can also look at color renderings and early-stage designs of proposed projects.

The plan for Northeast Second is to develop street design concepts for each block between Bellevue Way and 112th Avenue.

Proposals include widening the roadway from three lanes with on-street parking to five lanes, and developing a narrow park near the corners at Northeast Second Place and 110th Avenue.

Planning for Main Street will involve creating conceptual plans for each block between Bellevue Way and 116th Avenue Northeast.

Work includes planning for a visual “gateway” at Main Street and Bellevue Way. Other options are new lane configurations, pedestrian-bicycle facilities and open space.

The combined planning budget for the two projects is $405,000.