The City of Bellevue is drafting a plan for management of its curb areas and is looking for feedback from the public and employers. They want to know others opinions on how curb spaces should be used.
The borders between streets and sidewalks has continued to grow as Bellevue evolves. The city is inviting people to provide feedback through a short questionnaire. It will be live until April 15 at 5pm. People will also have opportunities for input at multiple Transportation Commission meetings beginning in March.
According to a press release, traditional uses of curb areas include on-street parking, travel lanes, and bus stops. Newer uses for the same space has recently included ride-share services, like Uber and Lyft, charging station for electric vehicles, and on-street dining areas.
The different uses for curb areas has greatly increased the strain on this segment of the city right of way. Other contributors to the strain has come from employer shuttles, urban freight delivery providers, providers that rent scooters and bicycles, and the desire for more greenery.
The new Curb Management Plan will provide a high-level planning framework to help guide how the city’s cub areas develop. It will assess existing curb conditions, establish a curb usage prioritization framework, analyze the costs and benefits of creating a dedicated curb program, and create options for curbside permits, designs, and uses.
In 2021, the council approved funding a consultant contract for $247,786 to help create the Curb Management Plan. The work is expected to continue through 2022.
