09.16.04

Cantwell Secures $500,000 for Bellevue's "Greenstreets" Economic Development Program in Senate Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced today that she secured a half-million dollars for Bellevue's "Greenstreets" program in a Senate spending bill. The funds will go toward improving pedestrian access to Bellevue's downtown areas, a key objective in the city's downtown economic development plan.

"The project helps make downtown Bellevue more accessible to pedestrians and enhance the physical appearance of the area," Cantwell said. "It will encourage businesses to stay in the downtown core and help residents move around on foot."

The funds would be used to create and implement a cohesive design plan for public spaces through public-private partnerships with the business community to create a program that will be sustainable and have the ability to grow over time.

The funds will go specifically to the main components of the "Greenstreets" program. This includes a "Bellevue Promenade" connecting the remodeled transit center to the downtown's center, "Streetscape Improvements" that would give the downtown the look and feel of a park, and the "Lake to Lake Trail" that would link Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington.

Incorporated in 1953, Bellevue has evolved from a one-time bedroom community for Seattle to a social and economic hub of the Eastside. The downtown street system consists of 600 foot ‘superblocks' which are vestiges of urban planning concepts of the 1950s and 1960s. Challenges exist between the scale of the street grid and the desire for a pedestrian-friendly environment.

The city recently identified urban design implementation measures that focus on creating a livable downtown urban center. These include new district-specific design guidelines that will define and enliven the emerging downtown neighborhoods and new signalized mid-block pedestrian crossing opportunities that will reinforce the importance of the pedestrian in Bellevue.

Mayor Connie Marshall applauded Cantwell's efforts.

Marshall said, "We are thrilled that Senator Cantwell has been able to secure this funding that will help us partner with the business community to create a beautiful and walkable Downtown Bellevue for everyone to enjoy."

The funds were included in the Senate version of the fiscal year 2005 Interior Appropriations Bill. Cantwell hopes the House of Representatives will also approve funding for the plan.