Published December 12 2014
The street that will serve as the key corridor through the Bel-Red area after its transformation from warehouse district to transit-oriented development is changing its name, from Northeast 16th Street to Northeast Spring Boulevard.
Starting Thursday, December 11, city crews began replacing the street name signs between 132nd Avenue Northeast and Bel-Red Road. Property owners have been notified.
In March the City Council approved the name change for 16th Street, along with names for five new streets in Bel-Red. One of the new streets -- Northeast District Way-- is under construction from 124th Avenue westward as part of the Spring District development. Construction has yet to begin on the other four streets.
City staff asked the public to suggest street names, and people responded with nearly 300 ideas. The Transportation Commission then narrowed the list and chose names based on the area’s industrial past, agricultural and ethnic heritage, landmarks, events or the area's future. The new street names are as follows:
- Northeast Spring Boulevard (two segments): Evokes the renewal of the Bel-Red District and references to the Spring District development on the west edge of Bel-Red.
- Northeast Ichigo Way: "Ichigo" is the Japanese word for strawberry. This name commemorates the Japanese American community that farmed the Midlakes area in the early-to-mid 1900s.
- Northeast Goff Creek Way: Goff Creek runs north/south through Bel-Red in the vicinity of 132nd Avenue Northeast.
- Northeast District Way: This signifies the intended character of the locals and reflects the desired characteristic of the area as an urban center.
- Northeast Midlakes Way: Midlakes is the name used for the area near Lake Bellevue since the early 1900s, when Northern Pacific Railroad connected eastside cities within the Lake Washington Beltline and highlights the Bel-Red area's prominent setting between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish.
When the Bel-Red area is built out, the street network will be multi-modal by including vehicular, high-capacity transit and pedestrian and bicycle connections to serve future trip demand. The new roadways will incorporate aesthetically pleasing and functional pedestrian experiences, with significant open spaces and environmentally sensitive design features to meet the city's comprehensive plan policies.
Questions about the street name projects can go to Patti Wilma, project development manager, (425-452-4114 or Pwilma@bellevuewa.gov).