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 I-405 to Eastrail.
While the most high-profile element is likely to be a signature crossing of 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 NE Corner of Downtown Park, raised intersections along NE 6th St downtown, and Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 2. This work follows the successful adoption of the Grand Connection Land Use Code in June 2021.
In the near-term, the city's goals are as follows:
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Reach 30% design on a Catalyst Crossing across I-405
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Advance contributing projects and programs, such as Eastrail and the Downtown Park NE Corner signature artwork, to ensure forward compatibility
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Support creation of an external partner organization ("Friends") to support the Grand Connection program in the long term
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Advance a long-term operations, programming, and management framework for the full route from Meydenbauer Bay Park to Eastrail
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Increase programming and amenities in existing spaces downtown and along the Grand Connection corridor
FAQs – General
What is the Grand Connection program?
The Grand Connection program is a series of projects designed to improve the pedestrian experience between Meydenbauer Bay Park through downtown Bellevue across I-405 to Eastrail. While the most high-profile element is likely to be a signature crossing of I-405, the program includes many other projects, including the following, to name just a few:
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Raised intersections along NE 6th St
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NE 6th St extension across I-405
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Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase II
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Downtown Park NE Entrance Signature Public Art
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Crosswalk and pedestrian improvements along Main Street in Old Bellevue
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Wilburton Land Use Code updates
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Planning for new uses of the City Hall and Lincoln Center properties
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Operations and Management Framework for the corridor
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Potential business improvement district
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Private capital investment through redevelopment
How is the Grand Connection program managed within the City?
The Grand Connection program is led by the Community Development Department, and helps guide overall citywide coordination of the many projects and operational elements needed to bring the vision to life. Individual projects continue to be managed by their respective departments—for example, the Wilburton Vision Implementation is led by Community Development, and Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 2 is led by the Parks & Community Services Department.
What types of activations and near-term improvements do you envision along the corridor?
Outside of capital investments along the route, which will predominantly be undertaken by private developers in the coming years, we see significant additional opportunities to improve the near-term experience of using the Grand Connection corridor. The colorful lanterns, tables, and chairs, which have been seen along the Grand Connection each summer over the past several years, provide one example. In future years, with the help of many partners, we hope to deploy additional placemaking features, amenities, and small programs, which could include:
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Additional seating and weather protection for enhanced comfort
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Wayfinding signage and pole banners to improve the sense of place
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Seasonal tree lighting for holiday cheer
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Food trucks and/or a potential farmers’ market for all-day food options
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Live music and/or performance artists for a lively environment
What is the private sector’s role in this program?
The private sector will play a critical role in the success of the Grand Connection program. Many components of the route through downtown will be developed in tandem with redevelopment of private properties. Incentives in Bellevue’s Land Use Code will help make many improvements on private property possible during development. As an example, while the City is not directly funding expected improvements along private property on NE 6th St., these improvements will come about through shared planning and strategies as properties redevelop or are remodeled.
Private property owners will also play a key role in activating and managing public spaces along the route, in partnership with the Bellevue Downtown Association and Grand Connection partners. Many publicly-accessible open spaces along the Grand Connection are located on private property, but are used for public benefit events including the BDA’s Live at Lunch series during the summer. We expect to see more of these partnerships as the Grand Connection vision comes to fruition.
Finally, private companies and developers in the retail and office spaces along the corridor will bring life, energy, and vibrancy to the area every day of the year.
What is Amazon’s role in the Grand Connection program?
Amazon is interested in the success of the Grand Connection program as the company continues to grow its presence in Bellevue and across the Puget Sound’s Eastside. The company has contributed $2.5 million to complete a partial design for the Catalyst Crossing, a pedestrian bridge that will serve as phase one of the Grand Connection route over I-405. The City will match the $2.5 million with city funds to continue advancing the vision of the Catalyst Crossing element. Businesses and property owners across the Downtown and Wilburton neighborhoods will be able to use the bridge as a commute option, an event-filled public space, and a tourism draw. See below for more information on the Catalyst Crossing element.
What is the Bellevue Downtown Association’s (BDA’s) role in the Grand Connection program?
The BDA will be an integral partner in work to program and manage public spaces across the Grand Connection corridor, such as the City Hall Plaza, Compass Plaza, and the Downtown Park NE Entrance.
FAQs – Catalyst Crossing
How is the Catalyst Crossing managed?
The Catalyst Crossing, as primarily a piece of transportation infrastructure, is managed by the capital projects group in the city’s Transportation Department.
Will the City be issuing an RFP for design of the Catalyst Crossing?
Yes, we anticipate issuing an RFP in early 2023. Details, scope, and budget are in development. While the primary objective of this contract will be to reach a 30% design milestone, we are considering the feasibility of design-build and other alternative contracting arrangements that could help the Catalyst Crossing become a reality as quickly as possible.
Will the City be issuing any other RFPs related to the Grand Connection?
Yes, we anticipate seeking consultants to assist on work related to operations and maintenance, capital identification and financing strategy, and planning for Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase II, among other projects. Many of these will start to become available in 2023. To prepare, and to be notified when an RFP is issued, please register and upload a SOQ at the City’s contracting portal, Public Purchase.
When will the Catalyst Crossing be complete?
Right now, the City is focused on reaching a 30% design milestone on the Catalyst Crossing, which will help us understand costs, potential impacts to City- and privately-owned properties, and benefits to redevelopment in the Wilburton area. We anticipate reaching this milestone in mid-2024. From there, if we elect to continue with construction, we would start an aggressive capital identification process with construction to follow and a goal to open the Catalyst Crossing to the public late in the decade.
Why will it take so long?
The Catalyst Crossing alone is an extremely complex project involving at least five government agencies, numerous private property owners, and an active interstate freeway where significant construction will be underway in the next few years. Prior planning efforts were focused on the vision and general concept—this is our first true engineering work for the I-405 crossing. Additionally, we anticipate a substantial capital raise will be required through capital planning and collaboration, including identification of possible federal, state, local, and private-sector funding to complete the bridge and ensure its forward compatibility.