SJCC unveils proposed major renovation project

Amy Lavin eyed the crowd and said that longtime members and benefactors of the Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) know it’s time for some immense renovations to occur at the 54-year-old facility that’s housed on approximately eight acres at 3801 East Mercer Way.

CEO Lavin and architect Ed Weinstein unveiled a proposed revitalization project on the evening of Sept. 7 in front of SJCC members, neighbors and other interested parties at the center’s auditorium.

The J — as it’s often referred to by Islanders — caters to people ages 3 months old to 95 and offers ancient teachings, Early Childhood School (ECS), aquatics classes, comedy shows and much more, and Lavin said, “It’s imperative that we find a path forward for upgrading this facility to serve our contemporary community needs.”

Vital friendships are formed at the J, and Lavin and her colleagues aim for it to stand as Puget Sound’s most open and welcoming community-centered Jewish organization.

Weinstein, who has been deeply involved at the J for more than 50 years and is principal of Weinstein A+U, was straight forward with the crowd about the dire need for renovations on the approximately 92,000-square-foot building: “I can tell you that it’s (the J) been held together with duct tape and baling wire. This is not a hyperbole, but the building really is tired and sad.”

The J features four essential elements: health and fitness facilities; entry bridge and lobby and meetings rooms; ECS and education facilities; and the auditorium. The French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS) is situated to the north and currently leases its portion of the property from the J and is zoned in the commercial office realm.

Currently zoned as residential, the J is seeking to move its portion of the vast property — which is the sole part of the robust planning — to a more appropriate commercial office zoning designation for stronger alignment with their operations and to provide certainty for their neighbors, the city and the broader J community, Lavin said.

With the J’s board of directors authorizing the proposed rezoning, the next step is bringing its wishes to the Mercer Island City Council for approval to move forward. Lavin said they plan to file their application this fall with hopes of council placing the J’s potential rezoning on its 2024 docket.

While final design work on the proposed project has yet to be completed — and sits in the waiting stages as they prepare to send the rezoning request — here’s a brief rundown on some of the copious elements that the J hopes to pursue in the renovation sphere:

Making the entire facility sustainable and low maintenance with a workable HVAC system; meeting ADA compliance (an elevator has entered their discussions); construct new fitness facilities featuring two swimming pools, a day-lit gym and fitness center and multiple locker rooms; an expanded two-lane vehicle entry boulevard to improve traffic flow, enhance pedestrian safety, accommodate drop-off and pick-up and have less impact on neighbors; a new parking garage with its roof featuring a recreation field sans night lighting; and much more that can be viewed at sjcc.org/future.

In the impact mitigation section of the proposed renovation project documents and through Lavin’s meeting presentation, the J noted that in response to neighbors’ concerns that arose during meetings and questionnaires, they propose to, in part: also do without night lighting of the education parking lot; supplement foliage to enhance the buffer between the facility and neighbors; and acoustically screen the outdoor courtyard and parking-garage recreation field — situated on the north side — with building elements and thick tree planting.

Lavin said the nonprofit J strives to be a good neighbor through ensuring safety for its users and the neighboring community.

Neighbors and members Josh, Karli and Jaylan Niehaus noted: “We believe the plan to renovate the campus would have a positive impact on our family, our neighborhood and the community. The proposed plan should alleviate traffic congestion, create a more inclusive campus and provide needed updates to an aging facility.”

Mickey Friedman, president of nearby Herzl-Ner Tamid, added: “We are very excited about the SJCC’s plans to revitalize their facilities and expand their programming. These efforts will benefit Herzl-Ner Tamid, Mercer Island and the entire local Jewish community.”

Svyat Samko, whose family is looking to move to Mercer Island and utilizes the J, said that he approves of the proposed renovation plan.

“I think it’s a huge heritage facility and I think you need to maintain the heritage but also update it to meet the needs of today,” he said. “I think it’s getting new blood, new energy into it and I think that’s what the community needs and it’s great to see the seeds of that (process) being planted.”

FASPS Head of School Eric Thuau noted: “FASPS has enjoyed a strong partnership with the SJCC since 1999, making daily use of their facilities. We are thrilled about the upcoming renovation project at the SJCC. We wholeheartedly endorse this endeavor, recognizing its potential to greatly benefit not only FASPS but also our broader community.”

During the question and answer portion of the meeting, Lavin said she couldn’t expound on a possible renovation timeline and cost estimates for the proposed project.

The Reporter reached out to the city, but didn’t receive a response about the proposed plan at press time.

Architect Ed Weinstein rolls through the proposed renovation project presentation at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Sept. 7. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo