REPORTER
Mercer Island www.mi-reporter.com
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 | 75¢
Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947
True Value to stay on Island
‘Little Women’ at YTN
Rotary Run road closures for Sunday, March 24 Mercer Island’s annual Rotary Run will take place on Sunday, March 24, this year and Islanders should be prepared for heavy traffic and road closures in the Town Center. Islanders are advised that portions of East Mercer and West Mercer, including the on/ off ramps to I-90, will be closed at various times, along with streets throughout the Town Center. To see the full list of closures, see page 19 of this week’s issue.
Learn about Medicare and new health care laws on Thursday, March 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. The event is put on by AARP, the state Insurance Commissioner and SHIBA. Pre-register at www.aarp. org/wa or 1-877-926-8300. The event is free, and lunch is provided.
French film Friday, March 22 at Aljoya Aljoya will host a free French film night on Friday, March 22, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The film “Quai des Orfevres” is in French with English subtitles.
Island schools’ arts Showcase set for March 27-28 The 30th annual Fine Arts Showcase will take place next week, March 27-28. For details on this year’s lineup, see page 3.
By Mary L. Grady
editor@mi-reporter.com
Trina Bates/Contributed Photo
Islanders Juliette Levy, Sydney Thieme and Kaya McRuer, perform a scene in Youth Theatre Northwest’s production of ‘Little Women.’ The play runs through Sunday, March 24.
Aviara apartments already filling up By Megan Managan
mmanagan@mi-reporter.com
Though there is still some work going on in the newest apartment complex on the Island, tenants began moving into Aviara, the building located on 76th Avenue S.E., last weekend. The first phase of apartments is ready to go in the 166-unit building, with 54 available, the most common being the twobedroom, two-bathroom units. The building also includes studios starting at 500 square feet, all the way up to a 1,626-squarefoot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with a loft. Community Manager Jeff Jagelski said the second phase will include 52 units, followed
by the final 60, which should be available by the end of May. There are a total of 26 different floor plans in the building. But what sets this building apart, according to Jagelski, are the details. “The high-end details,” said Jagelski, when asked what makes this building different. “The best views for apartments on the Island, the quartz counters and glass tile. The techno gym equipment. It’s definitely high end and the kind of thing people who live on Mercer Island want.” The units, all top of the line, feature exactly the kinds of things apartment hunters dream about. Quartz counters, glass tile backsplash and stain-
Jeffrey Costello
206.595.5709 jeffreycostello@cbbain.com
less steel appliances. And that’s just the kitchen. The master bathrooms all include soaking tubs, as well as generous walkin closets. Jagelski said each closet includes built-ins, and all of the units are one of two color schemes in the kitchen. Either a gray/tan counter, tile combo or a blue, white combo. Every unit also includes a washer and dryer. The building is going through the process of becoming a LEED Silver certified building, which will help its residents save money on utilities. Head to the top floor of the building and the already tall ceilings are close to 17 feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out toward Lake Washington on the northern side of the building. Facing out toward I-90 and the Lid Park, the top floor corner unit, which is one-of-a-kind in the building,
Mercer Island’s beloved True Value Hardware store has a new home. The store, soon to be displaced with the construction of the Legacy mixed use project, will remain in the Town Center. True Value will relocate this summer to the former Overlake Clinic space next to Walgreens at 7707 S.E. 27th Street. According to store owner, De Calvert, the agreement to lease the space was finalized over the weekend. Calvert signed a lease with MI Shopping Center, LLC. Island landowners, Gary Lewis and Mark O’Shea, are both partners.
True Value | Page 2
Aviara | Page 11
Chase Costello
www.costello-costello.com
Read the full paper online Mercer IslandREPORTER www.mi-reporter.com
Learn about Medicare, new health care laws March 21
Hardware store to move into former Overlake Clinic space near Walgreens
Green Edition
MI | THIS WEEK
206.999.4420 chasecostello@cbbain.com