The Mercer Island Thrift Shop has expanded its shopping hours by two hours each day and is now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday at 7710 SE 34th St.

Curbside donation drop-offs are now accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, 8236 SE 24th St.

Also, a new donation bin has been added at Islander Middle School, 7447 84th Ave. SE.

Xing Hua project

The city has issued the Design Commission’s decision for the Xing Hua project, granting design review approval for the proposed development in Town Center. The issuance had been previously delayed to address the potential presence of contaminated soil and groundwater associated with previous dry cleaner operations at the site at 2750 77th Ave. SE and 2885 78th Ave. SE.

The development is proposed to have a building height of 54 feet and will have a total above ground gross floor area of 162,990 square feet with parking spaces for 203 vehicles located below grade and accessed from Southeast 29th Street. A service/loading area will be provided and will be accessed from 77th Avenue Southeast.