REP RTER
Mercer Island
Happy Thanksgiving
Wednesday, March 27, 20,2013 2013 | 75¢ Wednesday, November
Serving thethe Mercer Island Community Since 1947 Serving Mercer Island community since 1947
Funds for South-end fire station fall short
Ciscoe at work at True Value
Thanksgiving Eve service is tonight Islanders of all faiths are invited to join in all-community celebration of Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Eve Service, sponsored by the Mercer Island Clergy Association, is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Mercer Island United Methodist Church at 7070 S.E. 24th St. All are welcome.
Better economy brings higher construction costs
Pose with gratitude Yogabliss, a yoga studio on the north end of the Island, is again hosting ‘Practices of Gratitude’ on Thanksgiving morning. The classes are free, but participants are asked to donate $20 to support Mercer Island Youth and Family Services programs. For class times and to register for classes, please visit www. yogabliss.org.
Parent Edge talk set for Dec. 5 Mercer Island Parent Edge is hosting, Dr. Laura Kastner at 7 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Mercer Island High School Performing Arts Center. Dr. Kastner will speak about parenting teens and her new book, ‘Wise-minded Parenting.’ PTA members are free.
Volunteers needed to restore Pioneer Park Work with EarthCorps and the City of Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Dept. to help restore Pioneer Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Dec. 7. Fifty-five volunteers are needed. Snacks, tools, and gloves will be provided. For more information, go to www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.
By Celina Kareiva
ckareiva@mi-reporter.com
Matt Brashears / Special to the Reporter
Local gardening guru, Ciscoe Morris, in red jacket at right, came by last Saturday to help Islanders laugh and celebrate at the grand re-opening of True Value Hardware in its new location near Walgreens. When a fire alarm interrupted his talk inside the store, Ciscoe took the show outside, his audience of garden enthusiasts trailing like ducklings.
Another big project for Town Center A five-story mixed use project is in the works between S.E. 78th and S.E. 77 Ave S.E. By Mary L. Grady
editor@mi-reporter.com
The City of Mercer Island Design Commission has had a first look at yet another proposal to construct a five-story mixed use development on land in the Town Center now occupied by several Island businesses. The Hines Mixed-Use development is the latest project that will include ground floor commercial space with housing in the floors
above. Parking will be included below grade or on the main level. In order to be allowed the ‘bonus story,’ or to go to the maximum height allowed, five stories or 65 feet, the city stipulates that a ‘significant public amenity’ must be included in the design. Those amenities can include a public plaza, units set aside for affordable housing or a ‘pedestrian connection’ through the site. The project site is made up of land presently owned by two owners on three tax parcels. They include the building addresses of 2885 78th Ave. S.E., the site of the Seven Star Restaurant and other businesses within that building; the State Farm office, at 7710 S.E.
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29th Street and, the present location of Terra Bella at 2864 77th Ave S.E. The project will not include the land occupied by the Veloce Velo bike shop or Mud Bay. According to Dean Bitney who owns the property at the corner of S.E. 29th Street and 77th Avenue S.E., his tenants are aware that the land is in the process of being sold. Terra Bella, he said, presently has an 18 month leases for use of the property. The land, which he offered for sale earlier this year for $2.1 million, has not officially sold. It will be final when the buyers get the permits they need to develop the land, he said. Bitney said he had received 250 calls regarding the property. Many of the callers he added, were Islanders. He said that the final dollar amount agreed upon was close
At present there is not enough money to rebuild the South-end fire station. Because of several factors, the project is now expected to be almost $400,000 short. At a city council meeting Monday, Nov. 18, staff discussed how to account for the unexpected gap in funds. The fire station’s budget of $5.4 million will not only go toward bricks and mortar but the purchase of a new rescue truck, space to house equipment and staff while the station is under construction, as well as permitting, design and a number of other
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2448 76th Ave SE, Suite 107 - Mercer Island (206) 275-2700 2448 76th Ave SE, Suite 107 - Mercer Island
2448 76th Ave SE, Suite 107 - Mercer Island
(206) 275-2700
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(206) 275-2700