Joint proposal announced for Mercer Island’s commuter parking and mixed-use project

The two ‘finalist’ companies will team up, with MainStreet Property Group leading the project.

December 28, 2018 8:30 am
The concepts from Mainstreet Property Group LLC (top) and Shelter Holding/Weinstein A+U were selected as finalists in an RFQ process for a commuter parking and mixed-use project in Mercer Island’s Town Center. Courtesy photos
The concepts from Mainstreet Property Group LLC (top) and Shelter Holding/Weinstein A+U were selected as finalists in an RFQ process for a commuter parking and mixed-use project in Mercer Island’s Town Center. Courtesy photos

In early September, the city of Mercer Island issued a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) seeking innovative and capable property developers to design and build a development consisting of a city-owned commuter parking facility and a mixed-use residential/commercial structure in Town Center.

The city received nine submissions and narrowed them down to five semifinalists who each presented their qualifications and concepts via the city’s online engagement portal, and at a city-hosted open house attended by more than 100 community members.

On Dec. 17, the two finalists, MainStreet Property Group LLC and Shelter Holdings / Weinstein A+U, announced a joint proposal to move the development process forward by merging both organization’s proposals, according to a city press release.

MainStreet Property Group will be the developer of the project and Weinstein A+U will join the MainStreet team as the lead architect and planner. GGLO Design will remain on the MainStreet team as the interior designer for the project.

In late October, the city’s selection committee had named the two firms as preliminary finalists based on each having strong, well-qualified teams with proven track records, and initial design concepts that included space for the Mercer Island Center for the Arts as well as a significant commuter parking facility (up to 150 stalls).

On Nov. 26, both teams made presentations and received questions from the city council. The city manager had originally planned to provide a recommendation to council on the preferred developer at its Dec. 18 meeting. Instead, at its Jan. 15, 2019 meeting, the council will formally acknowledge the joint proposal concept and authorize the city manager to move forward with negotiating an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA). The process is expected to take up to six months.

The city intends to create a single developable parcel by assembling two separate properties, consisting of the old “Tully’s Coffee” property (7810 SE 27th St.) and a portion of the city-owned land on Sunset Highway. This unique project at a premier location will produce a gateway connection between the city’s Town Center and the future Sound Transit Light Rail Station (opening in 2023).

For more information on project details, visit www.mercergov.org/TC_CommuterParking.