Bellevue council directs staff to advance Maidenbauer Bay Park Phase 2 design amid neighbor concerns about parking and views

The Bellevue City Council voted to direct staff to proceed with architectural and engineering contracting to support permitting and construction of Maidenbauer Bay Park Phase 2.

Council members approved the direction after staff summarized a multi‑year outreach effort and after several nearby residents and neighborhood association leaders urged the council to protect waterfront parking, views and neighborhood access as plans move from concept to design.

The project advances work from the adopted Maidenbauer Bay Park land use plan (2010) and uses funds from the 2022 levy for a scope that staff described as focusing on a gateway plaza, pathways and additional parking constructed under parts of the plaza and canopy walk. Parks staff said Phase 2 will not include the pavilion shown in some renderings and that marina slip reconfiguration, elevated bay connectors and major shoreline restoration are not part of this phase.

“This project prioritizes citywide connectivity at the expense of an established residential…