MICA’s website statement in question | Letter

In the June 21 update on its website, Mercer Island Center for the Arts stated it is “committed to the enhancement and beauty of Mercerdale Park,” as an explanation for the recent removal of their sign from public parkland.

But if MICA had truly been “committed to the enhancement and beauty of Mercerdale Park,” the organization would not have erected its sign in the park two years ago (not “nearly three years ago,” as its website states; MICA’s permit was approved on June 1, 2015).

In addition, if MICA were truly “committed to the enhancement and beauty of Mercerdale Park,” instead of planning to construct a huge building on public parkland, MICA would be working, along with currently active community volunteers, to preserve, protect and maintain the historically and culturally important public legacies of Bicentennial Park and the Native Garden. MICA would also be working to preserve and repurpose the structurally sound Recycling Center for active community use. And MICA would not be seeking the reduction of the wetland buffer from 50 feet to 25 feet. Instead, MICA would be actively fundraising to purchase private land for its organization, not seeking entitlement to free public parkland for the organization’s building.

Meg Lippert

Mercer Island