Published March 14 2018
On Monday evening, the City Council agreed to move forward with a study exploring how a new aquatic facility could work in Bellevue. The approved resolution authorizes the city to spend up to $250,000 to study questions surrounding feasibility, financing, scope and operations. Despite the ongoing popularity of swimming and other water sports, the last public pool facility to be built in the city was in 1970.
The lack of aquatic facilities on the Eastside has been ongoing discussion in the community for over a decade. In 2009, the City Council was presented with a study exploring a range of facility, siting and financing options. The project was later abandoned due to the financial impacts of the recession and the lack of interest from regional partners.
The completed study will be presented to council at a later study session. Additional materials can be found in the agenda packet materials.
Advanced Green Building Pilot Program
Later, councilmembers were briefed on work being done to develop Bellevue’s first Advanced Green Building Pilot Program. In support of the city’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative, the program seeks to further incentivize environmentally-friendly building strategies. Details in the pilot are based on input received by outreach to the building and business communities, and the study of similar programs initiated by other local cities.
The pilot program consists of a number of elements, including:
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Allowing commercial, multifamily, public, nonprofit and school projects to participate;
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Providing additional staff help through the permitting process to reduce uncertainty and address any complex issues;
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Allowing code flexibility for projects seeking the most advanced green building certifications; and
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Recognizing and promoting participating projects.
The Advanced Green Building Pilot Program could launch as early this summer. It would consist of up to three projects over the course of three years. Additional information is provided in the agenda packet materials.
Neighborhood Enhancement Program update
The council was also updated on the city’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP). Launched in 1988, NEP provides residents the opportunity to propose and select city-funded, small capital improvement projects in their neighborhoods. Since it’s reintroduction in 2015, NEP projects have been selected in four of Bellevue’s NEP neighborhood areas (Eastgate/Factoria, West Lake Sammamish, Cougar Mountain/Lakemont and Northeast Bellevue).
Twelve NEP projects are currently in various stages of implementation. In February, a flashing crosswalk on West Lake Sammamish Parkway was completed and, later this week, new streetlights will be installed in Eastgate’s Horizon Heights neighborhood. This year, NEP will be available to two more neighborhoods: Bridle Trails and Northwest Bellevue.
During the NEP engagement process, residents are encouraged to submit project ideas. On average, the city receives 100-150 project idea submissions per neighborhood area. These projects are reviewed and presented at a public open house. Following the presentations, all households in the participating NEP area receive a ballot in the mail. The top-voted projects are then implemented. The council has allocated $5 million for the program with the funding distributed among the 14 neighborhood areas, based on the number of households in each area.
Following Monday’s presentation, councilmembers praised the program for its public outreach and ability to realize smaller projects in a truly democratic fashion.