The Mercer Island School District and the City of Mercer Island began its first of three public information open-house events Thursday, March 6.

Architects from Mahlum and Integrus Architecture were on hand to present near-complete site designs for the fourth elementary school, the Islander Middle School extension and the extension for Mercer Island High School. Representing the city was its development services group, offering Islanders an opportunity to review the proposed zoning changes around the school properties. School Board members were also in attendance.

Ross Freeman, sustainability and communications manager for the city of Mercer Island, said co-sponsoring the event with the school district was the most effective way to present its information to the public.

“The intent is to make sure the public is aware of what the city has in mind regarding zoning changes around school properties,” Freeman said. “It’s a little complicated, and we’re trying to make sure the public has a chance to understand.”

Along with the layout of the new buildings, there was information detailing the sustainability ideas previously discussed but not charted for the projects. Many of those ideas were included in the preliminary designs.

The elementary school will have on-site gardens, geothermal wells, rain water collection and will feature a green roof, grey water plumbing system, demonstration composting toilets and a rain water harvesting system.

The middle school will feature expanded stormwater management and daylighting, with skylights at the gyms tied to lighting controls. Construction at the high school will include rain water harvesting, a cistern and a grey-water plumbing system.

Just a handful of people came to the first meeting. More people were expected at two night meetings held after Reporter deadline.