Just when the proponents of a private development in Mercerdale Park claim that no other land but parkland is available, the King property has come onto the market. The King property is approximately one acre centrally located in the Town Center just south of McDonald’s, between QFC and the old Albertsons (now New Seasons) property.
A private development group, the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA), has proposed building a $25 million performing arts complex in about one acre of the most environmentally-sensitive portion of Mercerdale Park, where the steep slope of the hillside meets a natural wetland.
Some of the advantages of the King property over Mercerdale Park:
1. The King property is closer to the businesses, like restaurants, that MICA claims its patrons will support. Mayor Bruce Bassett previously stated that a Mercerdale Park MICA location is too far south to support Town Center businesses and that MICA should be more centrally located.
2. The King property is closer to the public transportation Park and Ride, making it easier for patrons to get to classes and programs.
3. On-location parking for MICA, which is not included in the proposed Mercerdale Park location, could be included in the King property building’s design.
4. Additional public parking could be provided in a public/private partnership, such as what was proposed for the Hines building.
5. The MICA cafe would be more easily accessible to Island residents living north of the King property.
6. The King property is already developed, so it is not environmentally sensitive.
7. Mercerdale Park would remain open and green for future generations.
The City Council has claimed for years that it wants a central location in the Town Center as a public gathering place/public plaza, but most of that attention has centered around the Walgreens property, where Walgreens has a long-term lease. Now may be the last opportunity to achieve that central meeting place working with private development groups such as MICA to obtain and develop the King property for an arts center, public plaza and public parking.
Sharon Smith
Mercer Island
