Council approves resolution to seek federal STBG funds for Pine/Queen Street reconstruction

The Bellevue common council on Jan. 7 voted to pass Resolution No. 26-01 authorizing city staff to submit an application for a federal STBG small-urban grant to reconstruct Pine/Queen Street. The vote followed a staff presentation describing a project that would add sidewalks, one-side parking and a separated bike track to improve pedestrian and bicycle access along a collector corridor.

"We're competing... up to $3,000,000, so there's a 7.34 match requirement," said Brian Parker, who presented the project details and the grant mechanics. Council members asked how streets were prioritized and whether higher-traffic corridors such as Cottonwood or Broadford were eligible; staff said the grant is limited to collector roadways listed in the transportation master plan, which narrowed eligible candidates. A councilor asked where the roughly $272,000 local match would come from; staff said some streets-budget funds exist and the match would be budgeted in fiscal year 2027 with adjustments as needed.

Opponents of the specific alignment called for prioritizing streets with heavier daily use closer to Main Street. After discussion, a council member moved to pass Resolution No. 26-01 and another seconded; the motion passed unanimously with the council voting in favor. "I think this is a great move for us," said Tammy, a council member, after the vote, noting the project could strengthen Bellevue's downtown core and attract further collaborative investment. The council instructed staff to proceed with the application and return with funding details as they are finalized.