Council directs Parks Board to begin naming process for new Main Street park; staff to seek community input

The Bellevue City Council on March 10 directed staff to start the formal naming process for a 1.75-acre park the city recently took ownership of at the corner of Main Street and 100th/12th Avenue Southeast.

Parks staff said Sound Transit built the park as mitigation during the light-rail South Tunnel portal construction; the city took ownership in late 2024. Susan Ulip, capital project coordinator, and Cameron Parker, assistant parks director, told the council the site connects the East Main light-rail station to nearby neighborhoods, is part of the lake-to-lake trail corridor, and may host future regional transit and pedestrian connections.

Parker said staff are exploring a community-led, permanent installation to interpret Bellevue's Japanese American history at the site and noted the council's naming policy (Resolution 10151) establishes categories to guide choices. He proposed a process: open public solicitation of name suggestions, screening against the council policy, a recommendation from the Parks and Community Services Board and a final council decision.

Council members expressed support for honoring Japanese American history at the site and asked staff to ensure inclusive outreach to surrounding neighborhoods and to consider landscaping features such as cherry trees to amplify the commemorative aspect. Councilmember Meli moved to direct staff to initiate the naming process and seek a Parks Board recommendation; the council approved the motion unanimously.

Staff will proceed with public outreach, solicit name nominations, screen submissions under Resolution 10151 and return the Parks Board's recommendation to the council for adoption.