The Bellevue City Council has approved a nearly $285,000 architectural and engineering contract to begin designing a new outdoor amphitheater at American Heroes Park, marking the next step in a project city leaders hope will become a centerpiece for community events and entertainment.
The council unanimously approved an agreement authorizing Mayor Rusty Hike to sign a contract with Holland Basham Architects for professional design services for the project at a cost not to exceed $284,760. The contract includes a lump-sum design fee of $280,260 and an additional $4,500 for up to three publicity renderings.
According to city documents, the project calls for the planning and design of a new amphitheater and stage on the east side of the park’s lake. The venue is intended to support concerts, festivals, and year-round community events while complementing existing park amenities.
The design team will provide architectural, engineering and landscape services through all phases of the project, including conceptual site planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents, code review and construction administration.
Engineering services will include structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, landscape and acoustical planning.
The proposal estimates the amphitheater stage itself will encompass approximately 2,000 square feet.
Several components are specifically excluded from the current agreement, including floodway design and permitting, advanced acoustical design, theatrical stage lighting, audiovisual systems, security systems, playground features, fountains and public engagement efforts. The proposal notes that floodway-related engineering will be addressed through a separate contract after additional engineering analysis is completed.
If approved, design work will continue through February 2027. Construction is tentatively planned to occur between mid-2027 and mid-2028, with scheduling intended to work around the annual Bellevue Rocks concert season.
The proposed amphitheater represents another significant investment in American Heroes Park, which has become one of Bellevue’s premier recreation and event destinations. City officials envision the new venue expanding opportunities for outdoor entertainment, festivals and other community gatherings throughout the year.
Council members voiced strong support for the project before unanimously approving the contract, describing the amphitheater as an investment in Bellevue’s future and a way to build on the success of events already held at American Heroes Park.
Councilwoman Julie Collins said she believes the amphitheater will help create a destination for residents while supporting continued revitalization efforts in Olde Towne Bellevue.
“We have to create a hub for the city of Bellevue. We don’t have a hub. We want to build up downtown. We keep hearing, ‘Let’s do something with Olde Towne.’ This helps us start that Olde Towne.”
“There are things that can happen, bands that can come down and play. What they can do down there for the veterans and things like that. I think that area down there has become such a draw for us and if we do it right, and we do ask for the donations to help, we can make this help between what we’ve got going on with the water park and you’ve got a band maybe down here at night, that’s going to be a draw. That helps us bring in the money, keeps the money here in Bellevue, helps us keep building up what we want to do with downtown Bellevue.”
