The Bellevue City Council voted unanimously on June 4 to move forward with the next phase of the Meydenbauer Bay Park Expansion. The project will now enter the architectural and engineering design stage, an important step toward future construction.
The decision builds on a study session held on May 13, where city staff shared updated plans for the park’s Gateway and Promenade expansion. This project is part of the city’s long-term 2010 master plan to better connect downtown Bellevue to the waterfront. A new Gateway Plaza at Main Street and 100th Avenue Northeast will act as a key entrance and connect to a future Grand Connection pedestrian corridor.
As part of the updated plan, the city included several key features:
- • Intersection upgrades at Main Street and 100th Avenue NE
- • A new Gateway Plaza
- • Expanded parking in the Gateway and East Parcel areas
- • A Canopy Walk, a gently sloped elevated path
- • A temporary pedestrian trail linking the Gateway to the current park
Councilmembers also provided direction on priorities for the project. These included:
- • Avoiding parking disruptions during construction
- • Preserving views of the bay
- • Improving wayfinding signage
- • Ensuring universal accessibility
- • Planning for emergency access and safety
- • Keeping close track of costs and budget
- • Continuing community engagement throughout the process
The city has gathered public input through meetings, surveys, and a November 2024 webinar. Feedback from the community has pointed to the need for more greenery, better shoreline access, additional seating, and improved pedestrian connections.
This next phase follows the successful Phase 1 redevelopment, completed in 2019, which added a pier, expanded beach, play area, and kayak launch. The park has since become a favorite destination for locals and visitors.
Construction on Phase 2 is expected to begin in 2029, though a final timeline and budget have not yet been confirmed.
