Published June 21 2016
The city is considering possible ballot measures to fund safety improvements to the neighborhood transportation system and Bellevue's fire facilities. To help determine if these are the right investments for our community, the city gathered feedback at June 28, 29 and 30 public meetings around Bellevue and we invite you to participate in our online survey.
Background
Beginning in 2014, the City Council has had an ongoing discussion about the citys ability to fund the long list of capital projects needed to better serve the entire community. Despite current initiatives to prioritize and strengthen Bellevue's infrastructure, forecast data shows a significant funding gap. The council is considering two measures that would appear on the November ballot. These measures would fund important transportation and fire facility projects.
Some fire stations do not accommodate modern fire engines.
Fire Facilities
City policies prioritize the ability to provide critical services to the community through continuous fire and emergency operations during earthquakes, power outages and other emergency events. The Fire Department has 10 facilities to maintain, each with unique and special conditions required to operate these facilities 24 hours per day.
In 2014, the Bellevue Fire Department developed a master plan to address deficiencies in its fire facilities and to finance the improvements. This proposed ballot measure would fund many projects in the master plan.
Examples of projects under consideration are:
- Build a downtown fire station;
- Rebuild/remodel major support stations (4 and 6); and
- Add seismic protection to existing fire stations.
Transportation
The Transportation Department faces a backlog of neighborhood safety, connectivity, sidewalk, bicycle, technology, congestion relief and maintenance projects. New sustained funding will be needed to reduce this backlog and build new neighborhood projects. The types of projects proposed are intended to better connect people to schools, parks, transit and other services. Supplementing safety and maintenance programs with additional revenue would accelerate traffic safety improvements and move the city toward a safer transportation system.
Children walk to school on 128th Avenue Southeast.
Examples of transportation projects under consideration are:
- New sidewalk on 128th Avenue Southeast to improve school and park access (see picture above);
- New downtown midblock crosswalks with pedestrian-activated flashing lights;
- New bike facilities on 108th Avenue Northeast, from Main Street to Northeast 12th Street;
- Traffic calming project in Woodridge;
- Repair I-90 trail, from Eastgate to Sunset;
- Implement new intelligent transportation system projects; and
- Increase street sweeping frequency in all Bellevue neighborhoods.
Next Steps
After the June open houses the council will decide as early as July 25 whether to move forward with placing any measures on the November ballot.