Long-Range Facility Planning/City Hall Closure

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Mercer Island City Hall

Project Overview

In early 2023, the City of Mercer Island began working on Facilities Conditions Assessments to guide future investment decisions for City facilities and the development of a Long-Range Facilities Plan. These assessments include Mercer Island City Hall, the Public Works Building, the Mercer Island Community and Event Center Annex Building, the Luther Burbank Administrative Building, the Mercer Island Thrift Shop building, and the former Tully’s Building. A second phase will include Facility Conditions Assessments for Fire Station 91, Fire Station 92, and the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

The assessments will be used to prioritize a comprehensive plan to maintain, repair or replace these buildings to ensure City facilities can deliver municipal programs and services for the next 50 years.

City Hall Closure – April 2023

In April 2023, and in the midst of beginning the Facilities Conditions Assessments, staff visually identified broken floor tiles and flooring adhesive in the basement mechanical room at City Hall. Immediate testing of the materials confirmed that both the tiles and the adhesive were asbestos containing materials. This mechanical room houses one of the building's two primary air handling units, a key component of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. To ensure the safety of City staff and visitors, City Hall was immediately closed while further testing was conducted to determine if asbestos fibers were present in other areas of the facility.

The City hired PBS Engineering and Environmental (PBS) to advise staff, conduct more intensive testing, and ensure that industry best practices were followed in further detection and risk mitigation efforts. Between late April and early July, PBS performed three primary types of tests: air quality, settled dust, and bulk material testing. Testing has resulted in asbestos detection in several locations in the building, including in the HVAC system. No airborne asbestos was detected during air quality tests.

City staff and outside experts worked extensively to identify solutions to address the asbestos contamination and evaluate the best path forward for City Hall. Two scenarios for re-occupying the City Hall building, either fully or partially, were evaluated for timeline, preliminary costs, and impact to City operations. Unfortunately, the cost of both scenarios to re-occupy City Hall exceeded the benefits due to the age and condition of the building.

Islanders are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the facilities planning process here on Let’s Talk. You can review the Frequently Asked Questions, which includes more information about this project and the closure of City Hall, and submit questions for a response using the Ask a Question feature.

Project Overview

In early 2023, the City of Mercer Island began working on Facilities Conditions Assessments to guide future investment decisions for City facilities and the development of a Long-Range Facilities Plan. These assessments include Mercer Island City Hall, the Public Works Building, the Mercer Island Community and Event Center Annex Building, the Luther Burbank Administrative Building, the Mercer Island Thrift Shop building, and the former Tully’s Building. A second phase will include Facility Conditions Assessments for Fire Station 91, Fire Station 92, and the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

The assessments will be used to prioritize a comprehensive plan to maintain, repair or replace these buildings to ensure City facilities can deliver municipal programs and services for the next 50 years.

City Hall Closure – April 2023

In April 2023, and in the midst of beginning the Facilities Conditions Assessments, staff visually identified broken floor tiles and flooring adhesive in the basement mechanical room at City Hall. Immediate testing of the materials confirmed that both the tiles and the adhesive were asbestos containing materials. This mechanical room houses one of the building's two primary air handling units, a key component of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. To ensure the safety of City staff and visitors, City Hall was immediately closed while further testing was conducted to determine if asbestos fibers were present in other areas of the facility.

The City hired PBS Engineering and Environmental (PBS) to advise staff, conduct more intensive testing, and ensure that industry best practices were followed in further detection and risk mitigation efforts. Between late April and early July, PBS performed three primary types of tests: air quality, settled dust, and bulk material testing. Testing has resulted in asbestos detection in several locations in the building, including in the HVAC system. No airborne asbestos was detected during air quality tests.

City staff and outside experts worked extensively to identify solutions to address the asbestos contamination and evaluate the best path forward for City Hall. Two scenarios for re-occupying the City Hall building, either fully or partially, were evaluated for timeline, preliminary costs, and impact to City operations. Unfortunately, the cost of both scenarios to re-occupy City Hall exceeded the benefits due to the age and condition of the building.

Islanders are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the facilities planning process here on Let’s Talk. You can review the Frequently Asked Questions, which includes more information about this project and the closure of City Hall, and submit questions for a response using the Ask a Question feature.

  • How to Access City Services

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    City staff remain hard at work and most public services continue to be available as normal - approximately 80% of City staff are working in-person on Mercer Island each day, including police, fire, municipal court, parks and recreation, public works engineers, Youth and Family Services, and maintenance employees. Many City administrative functions can be performed remotely, and those work teams have been working from home, from modified/shared workspaces in administrative areas of the Community Center, the Maintenance Building, and the Luther Burbank Administrative Building. For information about how to reach City staff or about specific City services, please continue reading.

    Customer Service Team - The Fastest Way to Service

    The quickest and fastest service, community members should contact the City of Mercer Island Customer Service Team. The City’s Customer Service Team can help answer your questions about services, such as service requests, pet licensing, business licenses, or parking permits during the closure of City Hall. The Customer Service Team can also assist you in getting connected to other teams as needed. They can be reached at 206-275-7600 or at customerservice@mercerisland.gov and are available Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm, except for City-observed holidays.

    Obtaining a Permit

    Permitting services are available online and permit staff can be reached remotely. This page answers most questions about types of permits and how to obtain them: Permit FAQ | Mercer Island, Washington.

    You may also contact the Community Planning and Development department at 206-275-7605 or epermit.tech@mercerisland.gov.

    Making a Payment

    There are multiple options for remitting payment for City bills:

    Mercer Island Utility Bills:

    1. Pay your utility bill online using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or by electronic check from your bank account (checking or savings). You can also elect to receive paperless bills via e-mail. If you have detailed questions, please see Frequently Asked Questions below.

    1. Drop your bill off in the white payment box in the Mercer Island City Hall parking lot (9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040).

    1. Pay your utility bill by mail by sending a check or money order to Mercer Island City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Please include your account number on the check.

    1. Pay by Phone is now available for utility bills. Make a payment (credit card or e-check) by phone or check your account balance 24/7 with our automated phone service. Have your account number ready and call 855-844-0085.

    Permit Fees:

    1. Via the payment portal (Invoice Cloud) link listed in your invoice or communication from our Permit Services Team.

    1. Drop your check payment off in the white payment box in the Mercer Island City Hall parking lot (9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Please indicate your permit # on the check.

    Parking Permits:

    1. Mail your completed application and payment to Mercer Island City Hall, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Permits will be sent via return mail after processing.

    1. Drop your bill off in the white payment box in the Mercer Island City Hall parking lot (9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Permits will be sent via return mail after processing.

    Pet Licenses:

    1. You can buy a license online with King County.

    The City’s Customer Service Team can help answer most of your questions about payment options and various licensing services during the closure and relocation of City Hall. The Customer Service Team can be reached at 206-275-7600 or at customerservice@mercerisland.gov. Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm, except for City-observed holidays.

    Contacting the Municipal Court

    All payments and filings must be sent to the Mercer Island Municipal Court mailing address at 9611 SE 36th St. Mercer Island, WA 98040. The secure drop-box located in the parking lot of City Hall can also be utilized to drop-off payments.

    For any questions or further information please contact your attorney. If you are not represented, contact the Court at 206-275-7604 or court@mercerisland.gov. Court hours are Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm.

    For all tickets and court cases that were issued before January 1, 2005 you must contact the King County District Court, East Division at 206-205-9200.

    Participating in City Council Meetings

    With the closure of City Hall and Council Chambers in April, the City Council returned to virtual meetings conducted online via Zoom and available to watch live on the City’s YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/MercerIslandCouncil), and the City’s TV channel (MI-TV 21), as well as listening over the phone. The Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) has a meeting room available for anyone wishing to make public comment during the appearances portion of the meeting or to watch the meeting on screen.

    Given the long-term nature of the City Hall closure, City staff are in the process of converting the Slater Room at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center into a Council Chambers. Staff anticipate the room will be operational and meetings will return to in-person status in late 2023.

Page last updated: 06 Mar 2024, 01:24 PM