Mercer Island Reporter, January 23, 2013

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REPORTER

Mercer Island www.mi-reporter.com

Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947

‘Green power’ pays off for city

Shrouded in the mist

MIHS Drama presents “Antigone” Mercer Island High School Drama will present the winter production “Antigone” beginning Jan. 24. The play will run Jan. 24 through Jan. 26 and the following weekend Jan. 31 through Feb. 2. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door at the MIHS Performing Arts Center.

City to receive $30,000 in grants from PSE for Green Power

MISD board meeting Thursday morning

Kix and Spinz grand opening Saturday Kix and Spinz, a new fitness center located at 8451 S.E. 68th Street, Suite 105 on the South end, will hold a grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Environmental Assessment to begin, public to have say at WSDOT meeting Jan. 29 Mary L. Grady

editor@mi-reporter.com

Despite a positive spin on how well tolling performed on the SR-520 bridge during its first year, it will not be enough to pay for its rebuilding. Traffic counts from the Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) show that while volumes initially fell 48 percent on SR-520, they have now recovered to 70 percent of pretolling volumes. For its first full year that ended Dec. 29, SR-520 tolling has brought in approximately $50 million. But it will not be enough.

Tolling meeting Tuesday, Jan. 29

Jeffrey Costello

206.595.5709 jeffreycostello@cbbain.com

GREEN | Page 9

Chase Costello

www.costello-costello.com

REPORTER

The 14th annual MIPA Preschool Fair is 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Islander Middle School. Looking for a preschool, enrichment program, or child care on Mercer Island? Representatives from various programs on the Island will be present to answer your questions about their curriculum, enrollment, tuition and program options. The event is free and open to interested parents and caregivers. To learn more visit www. mipreschoolassociation.org.

Idea to toll I-90 to help fund SR-520 not new

ommended a financing strategy to fund the recommended SR 520 design options. The group began meeting as early as 2009 and included ten members of the Legislature and the leaders of the The budget set for the project Joint Transportation Committee is $4.6 billion. Forecasts show that including Mercer Island state only $4.1 billion can be expected Representative Judy Clibborn. Tolling of I-90 was part of a from SR-520 tolling. Tolling I-90 is needed to make up the differ- multi-part strategy set out by the group which included lookence. How Islanders will fare in the ing at various sources of funds in addition to upcoming change SR-520 tolls. As it is the focus of a became apparent meeting that will that SR-520 tollbe held between ing would not be 4 and 7 p.m. on enough and that The meeting with WSTuesday Jan. 29, at other sources were DOT about tolling on I-90 the Mercer Island not available, the will take place at the MerCommunity and group concluded cer Island Community and Events Center. that general tolling Event Center on Tuesday, The decision to of I-90 to fill the Jan. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. determine if I-90 gap needed to start tolling revenues “no sooner than would be needed for SR-520, has been in the works 2014.” However recent statements for at least three years. A group appear to say 2015 is a more reacalled the SR-520 Legislative sonable start date. For more background, go to Workgroup reviewed and recwww.wsdot.wa.gov.

206.999.4420 chasecostello@cbbain.com

Mercer Island

Annual Preschool Fair this weekend

Kim Walker Stanberry/Special to the Reporter

Fog hovers over Lake Washington and Mercer Island at Luther Burbank Park on Sunday, Jan. 20. The fog and heavy clouds covered most of Western Washington for a week before finally clearing.

One year $39, two years just $59

The Mercer Island School District board of directors will hold a regular meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24 in the City Council Chambers. The board plans to discuss the facilities master plan and extending the superintendent’s contract.

By Reporter Staff

By encouraging residents to sign up for Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Program, the City of Mercer Island won a $30,000 grant that will be used to build a community solar power unit. Residents and businesses of Mercer Island met the “Mercer Island Gets Green … One Hero at a Time” community challenge to increase enrollment in Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Program to 750 residential and business participants in 2012. Mercer Island schools are also set

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