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The Grand Connection program is a series of projects and initiatives designed to improve the pedestrian experience between Meydenbauer Bay Park through downtown Bellevue across Interstate 405 to Eastrail.
While the most high-profile element is likely to be a signature crossing over I-405, the route will also provide other beautifully-designed spaces for human connection, creative inspiration and movement, such as a new signature artwork at the northeast corner of Downtown Park, raised intersections along Northeast Sixth Street and Meydenbauer Bay Park. This work follows the successful adoption of the Grand Connection land use code in 2021.
In the near-term, the city's goals are as follows:
- Reach 30% design on the Grand Connection Crossing across I-405
- Advance contributing projects and programs, such as Eastrail and the Downtown Park northeast corner artwork to ensure forward compatibility
- Support creation of an external partner organization (friends) to support the Grand Connection program in the long term
- Advance a long-term operations, programming and management framework for the full route from Meydenbauer Bay Park to Eastrail
- Increase programming and amenities in existing spaces downtown and along the Grand Connection corridor