A noise test will be done on Saturday May 2nd to determine the effect of the noise of a helicopter landing at Bellevue’s Bank of America building.
This test will be the 2nd noise test, to determine if Kemper Development Co. will be allowed to install a helistop atop the Bellevue Place Bank of America building. As proposed, the helistop would allow for a maximum of 40 landing and take-offs per month, between the hours of 8am and 7pm.
This topic has been one for great debate, as many residents are hesitant to have this added noise and think it could disturb sleep in early mornings, on weekends, and at other peaceful times of day. The other side of the coin is that with all the traffic that is going to be created in Downtown Bellevue, there needs to be easily accessible options for those of high status to get in and out as the city continues to grow.
There was a public meeting on February 18th at Bellevue City Hall to address community members’ concerns. Individuals with concerns were given a chance to communicate their issues about the helipad. Kemper Development Co. was able to voice their reasoning for wanting one, as well as present their learnings from tests that they had done over the past several months.
Below is a flight map of where the helipad is currently purposed to fly through, if allowed.
Helicopter Flight Path and Altitude Plan. Courtesy of Kemper Development Company.
keemper is against mass transit, and for private helicopter rides for the rich. what a guy.
Yeah but it will be way cooler than a silly train.
Not a problem for noise and we live right downtown on 12 and Bellevue Way…
Irritated by it at 10th & 100th.
I was out of town yesterday. I so far only see two responses here, and it’s 50/50 attitude so far.
Is there an official page documenting the test results?
I say let the helicopters fly! It doesn’t seem as if they are going to abuse it, nor does it seem like many people will be using the service.
I think some residents are making a bigger deal out of the issue than it needs to be. If it becomes to be a large issue, they should reevaluate it, but for now, make it happen.
I would rather not have helo’s around, they crash much more then airplanes and pollute like crazy. Unless they are for medical reasons I don’t want them.
We participated in the test, and did not hear a thing. It is a private pad, and I agree people are making way to much of it.
As for the Kemper comments, why is it that our society tries to be wealthy and successful, but tries to destroy those who are? He loves Bellevue and has spent his life and fortune trying to make it better for everyone. Why people have a problem with that is beyond me.
I agree with you Fred!
Nobody wanted the covered bridge walks either. They were a new idea for Bellevue. But they are great. The copters will be of limited use and i think they should be allowed.
Cherie actually the covered bridge walk ways are not great. The city has given up trying to make street life decent, they are basically giving up on that.
The *could* make Bellevue way (and 8th) a slower street with very frequent ped crossings every half block. This would really make things better for peds and really active the street life. BUT Bellevue in it’s wisdom sees these two streets and high capactity throughfares and so I have to wait for 2 mins at 10pm to cross when there is no traffic.
Sorry for the rant
I don’t live in Bellevue so I really don’t care… But I work there and was on Bellevue Way and NE 10 when the first test happened… All I have to say is I’M GLAD I DON’T OWN A CONDO DOWNTOWN!!
Way too loud for me!
I design Machines with 48 DB on-board gen/battery chargers, you cannot tell if the system is running at street level on N.E. 8th Street & Bellevue way, traffic noise is over 80 DB, you will not hear (3)blade helicopters, install the Helistop, I think “Helistops” are a great idea, and traffic is only going to get worse with 750,000 new people every year or 2, this is why I designed “electric Rickshaws” to take advantage of ESB5450,HB1820,HB2712, we that design “alternative transportation” have changed Washington State Law, “Cities are forbidden from enacting ordinances stricter than Washington State Law-HB1820,”we” also made it a requirement to install Bicycle/scooter lanes,READ
RCW46.61.755
RCW46.61.770
RCW46.61.425
“alternative transportation” has the legal right of way,bring in an alternative means of getting in and out of Bellevue, “we” also made it a requirement in the State of Washington for wider sidewalks, look at New York street level video sometime, you complain now, just wait it is going to get alot more crowded…
As Jason has pointed out there are risks of an accident. Does the use of this aircraft benefit the community as a whole like a med flight operation or is it very selective? What will be the weather minimums allowed for this operation etc. Personally as an ex-helicopter pilot the benefits do not out weigh the concerns. One accident in a highly congested area will change everyones view point rapidly if the service is not to the benefit of the general public. Airports and taxi are the better choice here. Why increase a risk factor unneccarily unless you want to through caution to the side. As for noise, the new aircraft are fairly quite.