Bridle Trails

April 2008

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WORKSHOP TO BE HELD

APRIL 23, 7 to 9 p.m.
CHERRY CREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
12400 NE 32nd St.

This is an opportunity to review the proposed Neighborhood Enhancement Projects for Bridle Trails

In December households in Bridle Trails submitted over 50 requests for projects which they felt would enhance the livability, safety or aesthetics of their area. There is $157,000 available for NEP projects in this cycle.

All project requests were screened to ensure that they met the screening criteria including a project cost limit of $150,000. Project descriptions and cost estimates have been prepared for those projects that passed the screening.

The next step in the process is for you to see the projects that have been prepared as proposed projects. You will be able to see detailed information about the projects, talk with City staff and meet with your neighbors to discuss your preferences. The presentation will begin at 7:15 to provide you with an opportunity to review information and talk with staff prior to the presentation..

In May, all households will receive voter pamphlets and ballot cards to vote for their preferred projects. The results of the voting will be announced in June to those who voted and posted on this website.

The list of projects to be presented at the workshop is shown below.

PROPOSED NEP PROJECTS:

BT-1  Landscape Screening on 140th Avenue Northeast from Northeast 42nd Street to Northeast 44th Street
This project would install native plantings and trees to provide additional screening between 140th Avenue Northeast and the adjacent private property that houses the Bridle Trails Neighborhood pool, tennis courts and riding arena. Currently, small to large trees and scattered landscaping exists. This proposal would increase the density of the plantings to create a semi-solid screen of vegetation along the entirety of the property frontage. Plantings would include native shrubs and evergreen conifers.
Estimated cost:  $30,600
Project Manager:  Don McQuilliams, 425-452-7865

BT-2  Compton Trails Open Space Renovation and Enhancement
Renovation and enhancement for the open space in Compton Trails. The three-acre area is a forested property connecting 130th Avenue Northeast and Cherry Crest Elementary School. The property provides recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, air and water quality improvements and neighborhood buffering. This project would include removal of non-native vegetation, removal  and replacement of storm-damaged and hazardous trees, wildlife habitat enhancements and native vegetation restorations.
Estimated Cost:  $30,000
Project Manager:  Jim Bennett, 425-452-4321

BT-3  Landscape Screening on Northeast 24th Street east of 134th Avenue Northeast
Installation of native landscaping in front of the gas pipeline equipment on the south side of  Northeast 24th Street to provide screening of the gas pipeline equipment. It would include the removal of existing blackberries, site preparation and installation of native materials, shrubs and small trees to act as a screen while providing an attractive landscaping feature.  The design of this project anticipates that, if funded, future pathway and bike shoulder projects at this location could possibly have an influence on part of the landscaping installed by this NEP project.
Estimated cost:  $25,800
Project Manager: Don McQuilliams, 425-452-7865

BT-4  Landscape Screening on 116th Avenue Northeast, from Northup Way to Northeast 39th Street
Native plantings to provide additional screening between 116th Avenue Northeast and the pathway that runs along the east side of the street. Currently, small trees and scattered landscaping exists. This project would increase the density of the plantings with native shrubs to create a semi-solid screen of vegetation along the entirety of the trail.
Estimated cost:  $91,500
Project Manager: Don McQuilliams, 425-452-7865

BT-5  Improvements to Acheson Property
Provide funds to work in cooperation with State Parks to make improvements to the 4.6 acres of state park land at 5220 132nd Ave. NE known as the “Acheson Property.”  Improvements could include such things as vehicle access upgrades consistent with city standards, improvements to vehicle and trailer parking, installation of a public restroom and landscaping improvements. The project would not include funds for upgrading the existing building complex. The development of projects to be implemented would be made jointly by the city and State Parks and would include public input. Any improvements would be subject to permitting and approvals by both entities and a formal partnership agreement between them must be authorized. 
Estimated Cost:  $150,000
Project Manager: Brian Krause, 425-452-6992

BT-6  Landscaping at the Intersection of 140th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 40th Street
This project would install landscaping in the city right of way on all four corners of the intersection of 140th Avenue Northeast and Northeat 40th Street to provide a more aesthetic and neighborhood feel to this heavily used intersection. Invasive weeds will be removed. New native plantings and trees would be planted on the northeast and southeast corners to provide a natural landscape. On the northwest and southwest corners, other appropriate plants would be used to improve the appearance of the intersection will blending with the existing landscaping on the adjacent properties.  If this project is selected, the landscaping would take into consideration the possibility that, if funded, a future project to install a separated pathway or sidewalk on NE 40th could possibly have an influence on the landscaping of the northeast corner of the intersection.
Estimated Cost:  $32,600
Project Manager: Tom Kuykendall, 425-452-7924

BT-7  English Ivy Interpretive Information
English Ivy is registered as a Class C noxious weed in Washington. It easily escapes from ornamental landscapes and proliferates in natural open space systems. English Ivy competes with native plants for light, water and nutrients, and can add substantial weight to trees, making them more likely to blow down. It also provides hiding places for rats and other vermin. This project would develop interpretive materials, including signage and/or brochures to help raise citizen awareness within Bridle Trails of the detrimental impacts English Ivy can have on natural ecosystems and provide information on eradication and control.
Estimated Cost:  $25,000
Project Manager: Geoff Bradley, 425-452-2740

BT-8  Equestrian Community Art
This project would obtain and install a public art work at a suitable location within the Bridle Trails NEP area, referencing the equestrian character of the community. The location and design would be determined through a public involvement process. The art could include a medium-scale sculpture (4 to 7 feet),  functional art such as benches or other treatments. Materials could include steel, mosaic, wood or other materials, plus landscaping. The process of design and determination of location would be coordinated by the Bellevue Arts Program.
Estimated cost:  $35,000
Project Manager: Tamar Benzikry-Stern, 425-452-4852,

BT- 9  Streetlight Replacement in Cherry Crest
Replacement of most of the existing streetlights in the Cherry Crest neighborhood. This project could either install new street light fixtures on existing poles, or replace completely with new street light fixtures and poles.  If this project is funded, a neighborhood committee will be created to help determine the final street light fixture and pole design, as well as final locations.
Estimated cost:  $150,000
Project Manager: Vangie Parico, 425-452-6103

Previously Funded NEP Projects in Bridle Trails:

The last time NEP visited your neighborhood was in 2004.  There were originally three projects selected by a vote of the residents of the area for funding and construction. These projects were:

BT-05-A:  Enhancements to the trail along 134th/132 Avenue Northeast from Northeast 24th to Northeast 60th streets

BT-05-B:  Basketball Court Resurfacing at Cherry Crest Elementary School

BT-05-C:  Sidewalk on the north side of Northeast 40th Street from 142nd Place Northeast to 145th Avenue Northeast

The Northeast 40th Street Sidewalk project (BT-05-C) had to be removed from the funded project list because the estimated cost increased by more than $90,000, and could not be done within the established NEP project limit.   

The next project in the priority list according to the vote-point totals would have been the 140th Avenue Northeast Asphalt Walkway between Northeast 32nd Street to Northeast 34th Place (Ballot No. BT-6). However, since that project was estimated to cost $150,000, constructing it would have resulted in expenditures well over the '04/'05 NEP allocation for Bridle Trails. That would have meant a correspondingly significant reduction of the 2007 allocation for the area. Therefore, the next project on the priority list; the 140th Landscaped Median project (Ballot #BT-4) with an estimated cost of $75,000, was funded and has been completed.

In addition, funds were being held for one more Bridle Trails entry sign. Originally that was for the north end of 140th Avenue Northeast, after the walkway at that location was completed. When it was decided to do the 140th Avenue Median instead of the sidewalk, it became apparent that the median would be an ideal location for one of the entry signs. 

Therefore, the sign which had existed on the east side of 140th Avenue north of Northeast 40th Street was moved to the location at the north end of 140th Avenue, and a new sign designed for the median at the south end. Sometime after the first of the year, the new sign will be installed, and the median will be landscaped. The new sign will look the same as the other signs except that it will be smaller to fit in the median.