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Bellevue: Monthly Update Archives
September 2009
Architects continue to develop schematic design alternatives for review by KCLS staff. The project is anticipated to add up to 90 new parking stalls and improve accessibility for the Library. A public meeting is scheduled for October 1, 2009, to present schematic design plans to the public.
August 2009
Johnston Architects’ staff is developing schematic design alternatives for the parking expansion project, which will be reviewed by KCLS. The objective is to add as many as 100 new parking stalls for library parking. In addition, KCLS hopes to improve the circulation around and through existing parking and drive lanes. A public meeting is scheduled to present the plans on October 1, 2009, at the Bellevue Library.
July 2009
KCLS made a significant breakthrough in coordinating with the City of Bellevue on the parking expansion project. KCLS staff met with the Bellevue City Manager, Planning Director and Parks Director to review various options for the project. The City of Bellevue would like to participate, but is not in a position to contribute financially. When it became clear that the City would not be able to participate, and that the City would need to be compensated if KCLS were to utilize some of the Park space for underground parking, it was agreed that expansion behind the Library was the best option. The City indicated a willingness to help KCLS with the project by allowing Ashwood Park to be used for temporary parking during construction. This will allow KCLS to minimize interruptions to the operations of the Library during the construction period.
June 2009
KCLS and City of Bellevue staff is working with Johnston Architects to plan for the Bellevue Library parking expansion. Several alternative site plans are under consideration and public meetings will be organized to solicit input from residents. The City decided not to partner with KCLS on the planning effort, but has assigned staff members from the Parks and Planning departments to provide input on KCLS’ plans. The City Manager also indicated that the City may still decide to participate in the project by developing additional parking or some other related facility as an addition to KCLS’ project. KCLS will be meeting with the City Manager, Parks Director and Planning Director on July 8 to further discuss the project.
May 2009
The Library system will be moving forward on plans to expand parking at the Bellevue Regional Library. The City’s Parks Department recently passed a bond issue and as staff is busy with current projects, they are not in a position to undertake the master planning of Ashwood Park in conjunction with the Library’s parking expansion. The City would still like to be informed of the Library’s planning efforts and may eventually purchase additional parking. The City Manager has pledged cooperation on using some of the current park space for temporary Library parking once the project gets under way.
January 2009
The development of design concepts for the Bellevue Library parking lot expansion continues to be on hold until the City of Bellevue completes its process of selecting a consultant for the Ashwood Park Master Planning update.
December 2008
Until the City of Bellevue selects a consultant for the Ashwood Park Master
Planning update, the KCLS consultant team will not be able to further develop
design concepts for the Bellevue Library parking lot expansion. Although
the project is temporarily on hold, public meetings are anticipated to be
held sometime in 2009.
November 2008
The parking expansion project continues to be temporarily on hold
while the City of Bellevue completes the selection process for a consultant
for the Ashwood Park Master Planning update.
October 2008
The KCLS design team is not able to develop design concepts for the
Bellevue Library parking lot expansion until the City of Bellevue selects a
consultant for the Ashwood Park Master Planning update. The Bellevue Parks
Department plans to select a consultant after its levy vote in November. KCLS
will be working with the City and the City’s consultant to prepare alternative
site use studies for the Library parking and improvements to the Park.
September 2008
Further concept development is on hold until the City of Bellevue selects a
consultant for the Ashwood Park Master Planning update. KCLS will be working
with the City and the City’s consultant to prepare alternative site
use studies for the Library parking and for improvements to the Park. Public
meetings will be scheduled in 2008.
August 2008
The architect team has determined that further concept development is not possible
until the City of Bellevue selects a consultant for the Ashwood Park Master Plan
update. KCLS will be working with the City and their consultant to prepare alternative
site use studies for the Library parking and also improvements to the Park. Public
meetings will be scheduled in late 2008.
July 2008
The pre-design work for the library expansion project is nearing completion.
A parking study is under way to determine the number of vehicles that frequent
the Library. Both access driveways will have cables to track numbers. KCLS has
agreed to defer any further planning for the parking expansion until the City
of Bellevue has selected a consultant to prepare a Master Site Plan for Ashwood
Park. Both entities are interested in investigating a partnership to develop
parking either behind the library or on the adjacent park land.
June 2008
A panel comprised of representatives from the Bellevue Library Advisory Board,
the Bellevue Friends of the Library, KCLS Board Member Rob Spitzer and others
selected Johnston Architects for the Bellevue Library parking expansion project.
KCLS officials continue to discuss the project with the City as it is tied to
the City’s planning process for the adjacent Ashwood Park. Both entities
are interested in investigating a partnership to develop parking either behind
the Library or on the adjacent park land.
May 2008
KCLS has received statements of qualifications from four consultant teams for the planning and design of the parking expansion. Qualifications and references will be reviewed by KCLS administrative staff and interviews are scheduled for June 2. The interview panel consists of the KCLS Board, Bellevue Library Advisory Board and KCLS administrative representatives. KCLS has informed the City of Bellevue that we are open to discussing a possible joint venture regarding parking in the area behind the Library or on any of the adjacent park land.
April 2008
KCLS has received statements of qualifications from four consultant teams
for the planning and design of the parking expansion project. Qualifications
and references will be reviewed by KCLS staff and interviews will be scheduled.
The interview panel will include the KCLS Board, Bellevue Library Advisory
Board and KCLS staff.
March 2008
KCLS has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for consultants to plan, design
and build the Library’s parking expansion project. The statements of qualifications
are due April 14.
October 2007
The City of Bellevue Parks Department has initiated a planning process for the
Ashwood site, which will include plans to expand library parking. KCLS staff
will draw up some preliminary plans for the project. City staff anticipates that
a consultant will be hired by early next year and the plan is expected to be
completed by the end of 2008.
August 2006
The City of Bellevue is interested in a joint planning effort for Ashwood Park and the Bellevue Regional Library. Instead of waiting for them to fund the master plan in their 2007 budget, KCLS agreed to begin the study later this year. KCLS plans to increase parking and meeting room space at the Bellevue Regional Library. The City is considering a more developed park, a community center and/or increased parking. We also agreed with the City Manager that the disposition of the Lake Hills Library would not be linked to development at the Bellevue Regional Library.
September 2005
The City of Bellevue Park Department is requesting authorization and funding to work with KCLS to develop a master site plan for Ashwood Park, which adjoins the Bellevue Regional Library. KCLS is interested since the Capital Plan included funding to expand parking and meeting room capacity.