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Bellevue to build $17.5 millon waterfront park

The city of Bellevue has big plans for a new waterfront park. The city started construction last week on what will become Meydenbauer Bay Park.

The $17.5 million plan will connect Meydenbauer Beach Park and the Bellevue Marina. When it is complete, the park will create access to a quarter mile of waterfront.

Only about 10 percent of the Bellevue's waterfront property is publicly owned and much of that space is not accessible for public use, Meydenbauer Bay Park opens up property for the public to access Lake Washington.

Meydenbauer Bay Park will be a 10-acre park with a swimming beach, pedestrian pier and a new beach house.

The plan to expand public access to Lake Washington started in 1987 when Bellevue officials made acquiring waterfront a priority.

From 1992-2007 the city bought 12 properties along the bay, it purchased the Bellevue Marina in 1992.

Meydenbauer Bay Park will be only a few blocks from Bellevue Square, even closer to Bellevue Downtown Park.