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Proposed reservoir expansion raises concerns in Bridle Trails BY CELINA KAREIVA BELLEVUE REPORTER
Tucked in the southeast section of Bridle Trails State Park, the Pike’s Peak reservoir, a 24-foot tower, is barely visible from most walking paths. But a growing demand for water storage in the city of Bellevue threatens to disrupt some of that tree-line. Pikes Peak was one of four locations assessed in a 2010 report by the city, which hopes to select a site for expansion in the coming months. “Without addressing this need, development and redevelopment projects in the northwest end of the city will be constrained until additional storage is developed,” reads
the Bellevue Utilities site. “Bellevue will be unable to fully implement long-range plans important to the continued vitality and quality of life for its citizens, visitors and employees of businesses within the city.” Bellevue has 27 reservoirs, totaling 42.5 million gallons of storage. But the city's growth rates – most particularly in downtown Bellevue and the Spring District, are expected to lead to a storage deficit as soon as 2016. A site for the additional 6.5 million gallons needed in the West Operating Area hasn’t been selected, but a 2010 report by the city, ruled out other locations, to suggest splitting the added volume between Pike's Peak and Woodridge Reservoirs. The proposal has raised concerns among some Bridle
CULTIVATING THIRD PLACES
P-Patch owners in front of a plot constructed in Crossroads mall in 2009. The mall has been lauded as one example of successful “third places,” destinations separate from work and home, that foster community. Inside a giant chess board, a performance stage and lots of benches and seating, encourage people to linger. The city hopes to cultivate more third places, alongside its growing skyline. COURTESY PHOTO, Pomegranate Center Story, page 14 PASSPORT PHOTOS •
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Trails neighbors who question the impacts of the bigger footprint on a state park. A 2010 report estimated that between 80 and 120 trees would be cut during construction. Residents also worry about the appearance of the replaced water tower, which if constructed would be 48 feet tall, the height of a five-story building. “That doesn’t fit the natural landscape,” says Ken Hite, president of the Bridle Trails Parks Foundation. “That would involve significant tree cutting and close the busiest trail in the park. There are, from our perspective, a lot of downsides.” SEE BRIDLE TRAILS, 6
12 homes evacuated after natural gas leak Bellevue Fire units were alerted to a natural gas leak near the interchange of State Route 520 and 84th Avenue Northeast at 7:33 a.m., June 11.A contractor broke a twoinch natural gas line while digging in a culvert during the 520 widening project. The incident was in the 8000 block of Northeast 28th Street. The gas line break was on the south side of the freeway. Northeast 28th Street was closed from for the duration of the event. Approximately 15 construction workers, who were working in the vicinity at the time of the incident, were evacuated.Additionally 12 single-family residences were voluntarily evacuated as a precaution. Several schoolchildren waiting for the bus were asked to return home. Washington State Patrol was staged on 520 in cast the need to close the major thoroughfare was deemed necessary. Strong winds eliminated the need for such action. Puget Sound Energy was notified and responded immediately.Bellevue Fire units were on scene, with charged hose lines, in case of possible gas ignition.Initial efforts to clamp the gas line were successful. The gas line was then shut off without incident. Natural gas is much lighter than air and if not confined will dissipate rapidly.Working with representatives from PSE, Bellevue firefighters checked all areas of the hazard zone to determine if any gas remained.After checking all areas, including the culvert transcending State Route 520 project, it, too, was determined to be safe. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.A total of 12 fire department personnel responded to the incident.