Published March 29 2016
Over 70 designers, architects, planners and artists will volunteer their time and ingenuity for a groundbreaking design charrette concerning the city's "Grand Connection" project April 7-9. The charrette is a creative, visionary planning session focusing on the continued evolution of downtown Bellevue.
The program is organized by the City of Bellevue and Bellevue Arts Museum in conjunction with the landmark exhibition "Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture," on view at the museum through May 1.
The Grand Connection represents a unique opportunity for connectivity and community identity. It begins at the waterfront of Lake Washington at Meydenbauer Bay Park, extends through Bellevue's dynamic downtown, and ultimately connects with the regional Eastside Rail Corridor in the Wilburton commercial area. It is envisioned as a unique and defining urban design experience.
The Grand Connection will create new opportunities for public space, connectivity and placemaking, while promoting social engagement, the arts and recreation. The charrette presents the opportunity to create new and unique identities and ideas that will influence the future of the Grand Connection and Bellevue.
Participants in the charrette hail from organizations such as: Baylis Architects, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, CollinsWoerman, Framework: Cultural Placemakers, Mithun, MG2, Olson Kundig, Su Development, University of Washington, Washington State University and ZGF Architects.
The city's consultant for the Grand Connection, Balmori Associates, will join the event to engage with stakeholders and the public to better understand their vision of the Grand Connection.
A public open house, on April 9 after the charrette, 4-6 p.m., will be at the Bellevue Arts Museum, where participants will present their ideas to stakeholders and the public. In addition to the presentations, there will be a keynote address at 6 from Charles Montgomery, author of "Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design."
The charrette is supported by City of Bellevue and Su Development.