Recently many Island residents received an unsolicited email asking them to support the third rendition of the “Protect Our Parks” initiative. Like its two failed predecessors, this petition is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
It seeks to prevent the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), a community nonprofit charitable organization, fromreplacing the abandoned recycling center property at Mercerdale Park with a community arts center and permanent homefor Youth Theatre Northwest and several other arts organizations. YTN lost its facilities two years ago to make way for amuch-needed Northwood Elementary school.
YTN is operating in temporary loaned space, thanks to the generosity of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. A two-year study ofall possible locations in partnership with the city and independent consultants concluded that the abandoned recyclingcenter property is the only economically feasible and viable location for MICA.
MICA is currently completing its environmental review with the city, a state requirement for all projects of this nature.
Our community rejected two prior versions of this petition. Each time, the organizers changed the message (“protect yourkids” “it’s about safety” “MICA won’t be impacted,” “sports teams won’t be affected,” this list goes on).
They hired an off-Island political action committee to run misleading, inflammatory attack ads on television.
This petition would not “protect parks.” Instead, the petition would empower any individual with an axe to grind to tie upmany common park improvements and usage on the Island in red tape and bureaucracy and impose purposefullyimpossible mitigation standards on such projects.
The Mercer Island Reporter editorial board gave a “thumbs down” to this petition and many Island youth sportsorganizations, arts organizations, businesses, community leaders and residents of all ages have come out against thepetition.
I encourage everyone to read the facts, including a legal analysis of the petition at www.supportmiparksandarts.com.
I also encourage everyone to learn more about MICA and read our extensive list of frequently asked questions atwww.mercerislandarts.org.
MICA is a fantastic project led by a dedicated group of community volunteers. MICA will bring our Island together andincrease the use of Mercerdale Park and our downtown by offering arts and cultural educational opportunities, programsand performances for residents of all ages.
Virl Hill
MICA board member
