Bellevue is planning to make improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access along a one-mile stretch of 108th Avenue Southeast, which runs from Bellevue Way to Interstate 90. The city wants to hear from residents about how best to improve the road for cyclists and walkers.

The two-lane residential street through the Enatai neighborhood was built in the 1950s and has a patchwork of sidewalk and paved walkways up and down its length, said Steve Costa, project manager for the city. Because 108th connects neighbors to a school, parks, swimming pool and church, and because it's also a good route for cyclists going from downtown Bellevue to the I-90 bicycle path, it's been identified for pedestrian/bicycle improvements.

The city will hold two open houses Tuesday, May 18, to give residents a chance to learn more about options for improvements, and offer input about what works and what does not.

Bellevue originally set aside $7 million for the project, but because of budget cutbacks, and because residents are likely to ask that the project have a "minimal footprint," the budget for improvements will likely be far less, Costa said.

Residents have voiced concerns about losing on-street parking, preserving trees, walkway placement, bicycle use and traffic calming.

The same information will be presented at both morning and evening open houses on May 18. Here's the schedule:

• Bellevue Christian Church: 9 to 11:30 a.m., 10808 S.E. 28th St.
• Enatai Elementary School: 3:30 to 6 p.m., 10615 S.E. 23rd St.

Depending on the scope of the project, the improvements could begin as early as late 2011, and be completed by early 2012, Costa said.