I recently reviewed the 34 citizen responses to the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) State Environmental Policy Act(SEPA) documents posted on the Mercer Island City website. Did you know that an Island resident had recently offered a“seven figure” donation to kick off fundraising to buy the King property, which is currently for sale, for a Town Center Plazawith MICA?

I was astonished to discover this. The resident noted, this “is still a simple solution that would save the park for all” andprovide MICA “with a wonderful venue for its contribution to our city.” What a win-win for our entire community! Thisresident loves the arts, loves children and also loves our public parkland. This offer is still on the table. MICA should not letthis this generous donation slip away.

MICA, why not use this generous donation to kick-start a campaign to buy private land in Town Center for an arts center sothat Youth Theatre Northwest can have a permanent home on Mercer Island — with on site parking — without destroyingour public parkland?

MICA, please don’t leave this million-dollar donation on the table. Please accept this challenge — develop and announce afundraising drive that all Mercer Islanders can support, a fund dedicated specifically for the purchase of private Town Centerland, so that we can leave our children a legacy of parks and arts. MICA can save our public parkland for all and still providean arts center for Islanders in Town Center, on purchased private land, with on-site parking!

Meg Lippert

Mercer Island