Commuter Parking, Senior Resources, and More...

February 14, 2024

Council to Review Town Center Commuter Parking Site Concept

In 2017, the City entered into a settlement agreement with Sound Transit to offset local impacts of the East Link light rail project. As part of this agreement, $4.41 million was dedicated for long term regional transit commuter parking projects near the new light rail station in Town Center.

At the February 20 regular meeting, the City Council will review a recommendation and preferred site concept for a commuter parking project in the Town Center, presented by City Manager Jessi Bon. The Commuter Parking Project site consists of three different parcels, including the former Tully’s Property, acquired and assembled over multiple years for the purpose of providing long-term regional transit commuter parking.

You can attend the February 20 council meeting in-person or virtually to watch the discussion. Learn more about the City's facilities planning work on Let's Talk.

Happening Now: Multi-Family Housing Survey

As part of the Washington State Growth Management Act, cities are required to periodically review and update their Comprehensive Plans - these plans guide growth and development over a 20-year timespan. The City is currently reviewing its Comprehensive Plan, with the latest community outreach running now: a survey for those living in multi-family residences. This survey is gathering feedback directly from renters and people living in multi-family residences, including apartments, condos, townhomes, duplexes, and ADUs.

State guidance requires cities to gather input from people and groups likely to face displacement. The Racially Disparate Impacts Evaluation completed by the City last month identified that households in portions of Town Center and multi-family housing areas are at a higher risk of displacement. The City is seeking input from these households on their experience in attaining housing and living on Mercer Island, and the factors that could cause them to move in the future.

This survey allows the City to hear directly from renters and those living in multi-family housing, meeting the state requirements and ensuring broad representation in the periodic review process. This survey is just one component of the process, with other opportunities ahead to get involved through surveys and public meetings.

The survey is open through January 23. Anyone who is a renter or lives in a multi-family residence on Mercer Island is encouraged to provide their feedback by taking the survey. You can learn more about the Comprehensive Plan review process on Let's Talk.

Senior Resource Fair Coming Up

The City's Recreation Division and Youth and Family Services Department are hosting a Senior Resource Fair to provide older adults with information, resources, and services that cater to their specific needs and interests. This event is a great opportunity for seniors and their families to see all that's available in our community to help navigate various aspects of aging, while maintaining a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. This free event takes place on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 10:00am - 12:00pm.

See a list of all participating organizations and get additional details on the online event listing. The City thanks our sponsors Áegis Living Mercer Island, Belle Harbour, and Aljoya for helping make this event possible.

Mayor Nice Helps Welcome New Indian Consulate

Mayor Salim Nice recently attended a ceremony commemorating the opening of India's new consulate in Seattle, joining local leaders from across the region to welcome Consul General Prakash Gupta while celebrating the country's National Day holiday. Mayor Nice offered his congratulations to the Consul General, remarking that the opening of a local consulate reflects the strength and importance of the relationship between India and our region. More information on the consulate can be found on their website.

I-90 Repair Work Continues, Overnight Lane Reductions Ahead

WSDOT is continuing work for the failing expansion joint on the eastbound side of the I-90 East Channel Bridge. The emergency single-lane closure implemented last month will continue to be in place for the next few weeks as WSDOT prepares the area for temporary lane restriping. Restriping work requires several days of dry weather.

WSDOT is continuing to monitor conditions and will alert the City when this restriping work can begin. This will restore all four lanes of travel and allow for the joint to be replaced in 2025 (moved up from 2027). You can see a photo of the failing expansion joint on WSDOT's recent social media post.

WSDOT also announced upcoming overnight lane reductions on the westbound portion of the freeway. Westbound I-90 from Mercer Island to Seattle will be reduced to two lanes starting at 10:00pm this Friday, February 16, to 6:00am Saturday, February 17. These lane reductions will allow WSDOT tunnel maintenance crews to perform scheduled maintenance in the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels. Islanders planning to use westbound I-90 late Friday night should plan for delays and allow extra travel time. The Island Crest Way HOV on-ramp will also close during this work.

As always, you can see the latest I-90 conditions on WSDOT's Real-Time Travel Map.

City Snapshot

Check out the latest from our official social media profiles:

Visit the City's Website

Follow our official social media channels:

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

NEXTDOOR

City of Mercer Island

www.mercerisland.gov

206-275-7600