MI Weekly
    A weekly update from the City of Mercer Island


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 Calendar
(For event details, visit the City's online calendar or click on a specific event)

Feb 28
7:00pm Design Commission Regular Meeting

Mar 3
10:00am Restoration Event

Mar 6
 7:00pm City Council Regular Meeting

Mar 13
7:00pm Utility Board Meeting

 Mar 14
1:00pm Community Meeting - Financial Challenges

3:30pm Grand Re-Opening of Island Crest Park

6:30pm Arts Council Regular Meeting
 
Mar 15
Noon Senior Lunch
 
6:00pm Open Space Conservancy Trust Board Meeting

7:00pm Mercer Island Radio Operator (MIRO) Meeting
Your City Council
MAYOR
Debbie Bertlin
 
DEPUTY MAYOR 
 
COUNCILMEMBERS 
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Volunteer Opportunities 
City of
Mercer Island
Address
9611 SE 36th Street
Mercer Island, WA 98040

Phone
206.275.7600

Fax
206.275.7663

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am to 5:00pm


Donations Requested 
The Mercer Island Food Pantry relies on your non-perishable food donations to keep the shelves stocked year-round.
Click for more info.
Feb 28, 2018 | Vol. 13 | No. 9
Top_RankingMercer Island Named Best Place to Live in Washington
Welcome to Mercer Island!; click to read the complete list of top cities nationwide
Money Magazine recently named Mercer Island the best place to live in Washington State, beating out other top contender Newcastle. 

Last year, Mercer Island ranked number 89 on the magazine's nationwide list of 100 Best Places to Live. However, the list doesn't typically cover every state, prompting readers to request that the magazine name the winning location in each state.

Money Magazine complied, with the result that Mercer Island landed in the #1 spot for Washington.  Money Magazine says it picks spots "that offer a healthy economy, affordable homes and a high quality of life."  

Mercer Island's small town feel and natural beauty appeared to figure prominently in its selection, with mention given to the City's well maintained parks, miles of scenic shoreline, and special community events like Summer Celebration and the Farmers Market that draw residents to our popular Town Center.  Strong figures for median income and projected job growth (7.64%) also factor into the rankings. View an alphabetical list of the top city in every state.

View a recent 3-minute video compilation of the City's 2017 accomplishments, or watch a 2016 Comcast neighborhood profile.
Mercer Island Goes Green
Bike_SignsBicycle Route Signage Installation Begins
New trail signage; click to learn more about the City's bicycle planning
Over the last few weeks, as time permits, crews have been adding new signage along the I-90 Trail that traverses Mercer Island along the interstate corridor. 

Also known as the Mountains to Sound Trail, this corridor sees large amounts of recreation in various sections such as Aubrey Davis Park (The "Lid"), as well as significant year-round usage by bicyclists. In just the first two months of 2018, over 12,000 bicycles and pedestrians have crossed the East Channel Bridge.  Visit the WSDOT Count Portal.

While commuting cyclists may know their way around, for several years we've wanted to add directional signage for recreational riders who may not be sure which route represents the main East-West trail from Bellevue to Seattle.

Over the coming weeks, we'll be adding more signs, and soon, additional wayfinding to guide users to points of interest such as Town Center, the Community Center and City Hall.

The City encourages the use of mass transit and non-motorized transportation as a means of reducing community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Learn more about the City's bicycle planning process, or GHG-related sustainability programs.
Arts_LanguageAdding Arts and Culture Language to the Comp Plan
Click for more information about the Arts Council
City of Mercer Island staff and the City's Arts Council are working together to create an arts and culture policy addendum to the City's comprehensive plan.  A draft version of the statement has been written and the group is now soliciting input from the Mercer Island community. 

The latest draft will be posted by March 8 on the Arts Council webpage and a public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, from 6:30-8:00pm, at the Community Center. 

The City invites all Islanders to participate in the public engagement process and help contribute to the future of art and culture on Mercer Island! For more information, contact Kai Fulginiti, Parks and Recreation Coordinator.
ICP_SportfieldGrand Re-Opening Island Crest Park Sports Field
Laying the artificial turf in December 2017; click for re-opening event details
All are invited to come celebrate the grand re-opening of the varsity field at Island Crest Park on  Wednesday, March 14, from 3:30-4:15 pm, immediately preceding the first varsity baseball game to use the new facility.
 
The 2.4 acre sports field is now 100% synthetic turf and has new, highly efficient LED lighting and a deluxe scoreboard donated by the Mercer Island Baseball Booster Club. Below the surface lies natural cork infill and a new drainage system, guaranteeing year-round play. This project would not have been possible without incredible support from the community: it received over $700,000 in grants and community donations. A real team effort!
 
Please come and enjoy the expansive new field, listen to welcoming remarks from project leaders at 4:00pm, and then stay for the game afterwards.
 
Contact Paul West, Parks Superintendent, for more information.

 

  
For questions and comments on the MI Weekly, contact
Sustainability & Communications Manager Ross Freeman at

ross.freeman@mercergov.org or 206.275.7662.