A Message to the Community from the Mercer Island City Council Regarding Planning for the Development of a Replacement Public Safety and Maintenance Building

Last week, your City Council took a pivotal step in the future of City operations by unanimously approving the costing and design for a new Public Safety and Maintenance Building on the current City Hall campus. This facility would house the City’s Police Department and public works crews, providing a safe and functional facility that meets the urgent needs of our City today.

The motion, put forward by Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum during the Council's annual planning session, demonstrates a collective commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of our employees and community. The existing Public Works Building is well beyond its useful life and hasn’t met our needs for some time. The closure of City Hall only exacerbated this challenge, displacing staff across all teams and the specialized functions of our Police Department.

Careful evaluation and planning brought us to this path forward. Building a new facility serving both our police and public works teams meets the unique needs of both departments in a much more efficient manner. The City Manager will now commence planning for this new facility, with a preliminary scope and cost estimate due in Q2 2024.

What does this mean for a future City Hall and the rest of the City’s teams? We continue to discuss opportunities for a home in Town Center – a shift that represents a generational investment in a more accessible, efficient, and community-focused downtown City Hall. These decisions are not just about buildings and staffing but about laying the groundwork for a more connected, safe, and vibrant Mercer Island. We’ll continue to keep you updated on Let’s Talk, the City’s public engagement platform.

The success of last week’s Council Planning Session reflects extensive preparation by City staff and the Council's supportive and collaborative spirit aimed at recognizing the valuable contributions of all City employees. Together, we are able to navigate the complexities of our current challenges and make informed decisions that reflect the priorities and needs of you, our residents.

A great deal of dedication, insightful discussions, and strategic decisions have set in motion what we believe will be a very positive trajectory for the City of Mercer Island. These initiatives will bring about meaningful and positive changes in our community – we look forward to working across the Island to articulate this vision and we’re excited to see the impact our collective efforts will have for the Island’s future.

Mercer Island City Council

Mayor Salim Nice
Deputy Mayor Dave Rosenbaum
Councilmember Lisa Anderl
Councilmember Jake Jacobson
Councilmember Craig Reynolds
Councilmember Wendy Weiker
Councilmember Ted Weinberg