The Mercer Island City Council has voted to approve $95,000 in spending on utilities for a town plaza proposed on the north terminus of 78th Avenue S.E. near the Sculpture Park, allowing for an interactive water feature. The purpose of this public square, according to Councilmembers, is to provide a social gathering place in the Town Center.
“The plaza has been designed to accommodate future street events, such as the farmers market and Summer Celebration,” City Mayor Jim Pearman said during the Council’s Feb. 2 meeting. “Tree heights and street furnishings have been planned, so there’s space allocation for booths.”
Yet Callie Ridolfi, a key organizer of the Mercer Island Farmers Market, said the group hopes to keep the market at its current location near Mercerdale Park. Ridolfi said plans have already been made to expand the market beyond S.E. 32nd Street, where it filled both sides last year, to the Centennial Park corner and a short stretch of 77th Avenue S.E.
The Farmers Insurance building has already agreed to lend its lot for parking, Ridolfi said, adding that citizens much enjoyed the Mercerdale Park location, with plenty of street room for walking and open grass for picnicking.
Despite Ridolfi’s announcement, Pearman said the proposed plaza will still be an open invitation for community events in the future.
The approved $94,900 will go toward electricity, sewer and water facilities required by the design plan. Public restrooms near the Sculpture Park are also being considered, although funding has not yet been planned for.
“This may be something we look for using state grant funds. This plaza is being designed with maximum flexibility in mind,” Pearman said.
Flanked on either side by condominium buildings, the plaza will also serve as a commons for Town Center residents. Both condos — 7800 Plaza and 7700 Central — are currently under construction, with openings set for late 2009. The 9,200-square-foot plaza will open accordingly.
The idea to add an “interactive” water feature to the north end of the plaza, although no specific designs currently exist, was both applauded and questioned by City Council members. Mike Cero said he would support the structure, meant to “anchor the curbless street plaza” and attract young children, if it were financially realistic to maintain and ecologically sustainable.
Councilmember Mike Grady seconded this point.
“What we need to ensure is that the water is reclaimed water and that we’re using it over and over again — treated, of course,” Grady said.
Speaking later to the Reporter, Pearman emphasized the difference between a fountain and an “interactive water feature,” citing the children’s water park in Vancouver, Wash., as the city’s inspiration.
“What we have planned is not a fountain. It is an interactive water feature designed to create a gathering place for Islanders. It’s very different than a simple fountain,” he said.
After discussing the aesthetic and community benefits of a sustainable fountain, the Council agreed to support the idea, thereby approving $94,500 in utilities for the plaza project.
The 78th Avenue plaza project is a public/private partnership. The owners of the 7800 Plaza and 7700 Central condominiums will pay a portion of the overall cost, estimated at $650,000.
