Bellevue Grand Connection

The Grand Connection is a pedestrian-oriented, non-motorized corridor that will create new opportunities for public space, recreation, and art by connecting important places within the City of Bellevue. We were part of team working on the "Visioning" process for this project, which included conceptual design, programming, and integration of the Grand Connection into the existing and anticipated land use framework. Public engagement was critical to this effort, so we worked with City staff to develop an interactive web map to allow the public to provide input on the project. Citizens could access this map through a direct web link, through the City's project website, or by downloading the free Collector for ArcGIS app to their smartphone. Site visitors had the ability to add data points along the corridor and within the immediate geographic area that correspond areas identified as having a “Need”, being “Dangerous”, or highlighting a “Favorite” location along the corridor. They could also take pictures or draw sketches. As we enter the design phase, this input on how people use key areas of the site is informing design, along with our strategic input on local ecosystems, recommended stormwater system improvements with green infrastructure, and sustainable design guidelines.