Commuter Parking and Mixed-Use Development Project (Ended)

The Mercer Island City Council has officially ended the Commuter Parking and Mixed-Use Development Project, initially proposed in 2018. This project aimed to establish a City-owned commuter parking facility and a mixed-use residential and commercial structure to improve connectivity between the Town Center and the incoming Sound Transit Light Rail Station. After selecting Main Street Property Group as the developer in 2019, the City purchased the site of the old Tully's Coffee, which had a history of contamination from a former gasoline service station. Environmental remediation posed significant challenges, although the Atlantic Richfield Company agreed to cover much of the cleanup costs. Ultimately, the complexities surrounding these environmental issues led to the City Council's decision to terminate the project in July 2020.

This cancellation highlights ongoing struggles in urban development, particularly in areas with environmental concerns. For further insights, residents can visit the City’s public engagement platform, Let's Talk Mercer Island.