By Wendy Giroux

Ten years after the controversial development of the South Mercer Center shopping complex, the owners are proposing the addition of a new office and retail building.

The structure was part of the original site plan for the complex and, as such, has already been through review for the State Environmental Protection Act.

The proposal is for a two-story, 16,259-square-foot building at 8451 S.E. 68th St. The new building will be between Longs Drugs and the Storage Court. The first floor will have space for five retail tenants; the second floor will have about 7,760 square feet of leased office space, according to preliminary design documents.

The plans for South Mercer Center, LLC., were done by architect Paul Franks

A study session about the submittal is planned for the Design Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the council chambers at City Hall, 9611 S.E. 36th St. No action will be taken at that meeting; public comments will not be taken. After the study session, the project will go through formal preliminary and final review, and public comments will be requested at both of those times, Associate Planner Shelley Bolser said.

Longs Drugs originally had the option to expand onto the space, but now South Mercer members have decided to forge ahead with a new structure.

“The additional buildout on the pad site next to Longs Drugs has always been contemplated,” South Mercer Center’s John O’Shea wrote in a letter to the city. “We are excited about the new building. We believe it will enhance the center and our pride of ownership.”

The architect and owner already have mailed out notices to nearby neighbors and held a public meeting in late December to share the early plans.

They hope to begin construction this year.

Senior housing plans underway

Era Care Communities officials met last week with members of the city Design Commission for a study session about the company’s proposal to build a 131-unit senior living facility at 2430 76th Ave. S.E. Ana’s Family Mexican Restaurant and Haruko’s currently do business on the site.

Public comments were not accepted at the meeting, but will be taken throughout the process.

Preliminary plans show a five-story building with 85 below-ground parking stalls. The main entrances for both pedestrians and vehicles will be off of 76th.

The average projected age of the 180 residents who will liver there is 84. The residents are expected to be primarily widows and couples, said Kristen Scott, a principal architect at Weber & Thompson. In addition to the residential units, plans include a spa, pool, beauty shop, Internet cafe, exercise facility and auditorium. Company planners are considering whether to make some of the amenities accessible to the public. A pea patch on the roof is another possible feature.

The project is undergoing a SEPA review. A traffic analysis done on the project shows a net loss in traffic impact, Scott said.

Era Care planners also are interested in talking with the city to explore the idea of improving the adjacent greenbelt area and creating connections to an outdoor patio area that will be available to the public on the north side of the building.

“Overall, I think you have a really nice project coming along here,” Design Commission Chair Fred Glick said.

One commissioner expressed concern about the mass of the building. Glick and other commission members asked questions about security for the few ground units planned, the possibility of pedestrian connections across or through the site, how to take better advantage of natural light on the site and how the designs could be adjusted to provide more of a “gateway” to the Town Center.

“I think it’s a very interesting project, and the design so far has been well thought-out,” Commissioner Callie Ridolfi said.