Published May 11 2016
The citizen advisory committee working with the community to develop a vision and implementation strategies for the area surrounding the future East Main light rail station is seeking the public's feedback on a draft plan.
Input is welcome at an open house on Wednesday, May 18, 5-7 p.m., at City Hall, Room 1E-108. Residents can also participate and provide comments at an online open house through May 25.
The draft plan addresses how to integrate the light rail station into surrounding neighborhoods by making it more accessible for pedestrians and bicyclists, by envisioning future development near the station and by addressing neighborhood access, traffic and parking. The draft plan is posted on the city's East Main Station page. Following public feedback, the advisory committee will finalize the plan and forward recommendations to the City Council this summer.
The East Main light rail station is one of six stations Sound Transit will build in Bellevue as part of the East Link light rail line. The station will be near the intersection of 112th Avenue Southeast and Main Street.
The East Main station study area is bounded by Bellevue Way Southeast to the west, Southeast 16th Street to the south, I-405 and 116th Avenue Southeast to the east and generally Main Street to the north. The study area encompasses the Bellecrest, Bellefield Residential Park and Surrey Downs neighborhoods to the west of 112th Avenue Southeast and the commercial area (including several hotels) between 112th Avenue Southeast and 116th Avenue Southeast along I-405.
The draft vision statement envisions transit-oriented development that includes a mix of residential, office, retail and hotel uses; pedestrian and bicycle access for all ages and abilities; and new sidewalks to enhance neighborhood access to/from the station. The vision also calls for ensuring that residential streets serve neighborhood residents and discourages non-resident traffic. Several strategies are proposed for pedestrian/bicycle access, traffic, (neighborhood) character and land use/redevelopment that are intended to make the vision a reality over the next 20 years.
Station area planning is a public process to identify opportunities and challenges that address how to better integrate light rail into adjacent areas. The program does not involve the alignment of East Link, the design and construction of the stations or mitigation.