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Bellevue council directs state-application support, advances Grand Connection 30% design
Summary
Council members on March 11 directed staff to pursue state approval for a GCCM contracting approach and endorsed refined 30% design elements for the Grand Connection crossing, while staff outlined a $150–$200 million target budget and a community grant program.
Bellevue City Council on March 11 moved to advance the Grand Connection crossing’s implementation by directing staff to procure a consultant to assist with the city’s application to the state for approval of a general-contractor/construction-manager (GCCM) contracting approach and by endorsing refinements to the project’s 30% design.
The step aims to bring construction expertise into design earlier to improve constructability and cost estimating. Jesse Kanado, the city’s chief economic development officer, told the council the city is targeting an all‑in budget of about $150 million to $200 million for a “day‑1” crossing experience and that staff will prepare contracts for an alternative delivery approach aligned with that scope.
The Grand Connection is a planned pedestrian-and-bicycle crossing over Interstate 405 linking City Hall Plaza and downtown to East Trail and Wilburton. Supporters in the public comment period said they back the refined 30% design and the GCCM approach: Patrick Bannon, president and CEO of the Bellevue Downtown Association, said, “Our support is specifically for…
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