Luther Burbank Docks and Adjacent Waterfront Renovation and Upgrade

On April 19, the Mercer Island Arts Council selected artist Marsha Rollinger to design thematic bronze elements to be integrated with the planned waterfront improvements at Luther Burbank Park. This recommendation will be considered by the Mercer Island City Council on May 16.

Conceptual examples of the art pieces to be designed for the Luther Burbank waterfront

The Mercer Island Arts Council began considering the potential for additional art at this location in 2021. A Request for Proposals was released in January 2023. In April, Rollinger's submission won the endorsement of the Artist Selection Panel convened by the Arts Council. Her proposal integrates natural history and boating themes, and its placement throughout the waterfront plaza ties together the site's many features that improve shoreline access.

Rollinger will start work on the project in May, pending City Council's approval. Look for chances to help design the final art pieces this summer at the Mercer Island Farmers Market and Summer Celebration!

Starting in April, access to the Luther Burbank waterfront will be limited because of two important construction projects.

Luther Burbank South Shoreline Restoration Project

The first is the Luther Burbank South Shoreline Restoration Project, which will improve the trail along the lake. Some favorite destinations will be closed, including the fishing pier, the trail between the swim beach and the docks, and the access road between the waterfront and the meadow. Park visitors will be able to access the docks from the north by the playground. Project signage in the park will guide trail users during these closures. With completion of the project, trail users will be able to walk from the docks to the swim beach on an all-weather accessible trail. The old, eroded trail that is being undercut by wave action will be stabilized with the addition of spawning gravels and tree sections anchored into the shoreline. The old trail surface (shown below) will be replanted with native vegetation. Construction of this project is completely funded by the following sources:

• Proposition No. 1 Parks Levy through King County Parks and Recreation
• King Conservation District
• King County Wastewater Treatment Division
• King County Flood Control District/WRIA 8.

Boiler Building Stabilization

The second project is to stabilize the Boiler Building and retrofit it for modern standards. This work starts up in August and will continue through the fall. The 1928 steam plant will get a new roof, seismic reinforcements, and masonry repairs. The restrooms will also be completely renovated. These improvements will allow boating programming at the waterfront to continue. This project will not restrict access significantly, but there may be times when the waterfront plaza is closed.

The taxpayers of Washington State have contributed to the design of this project through a Department of Commerce Grant. A future phase of renovation will finish the interior of the building and provide direct, convenient access from the parking lot to complete the building's transition to a waterfront activity center for small craft boating programs.

Follow along here on Let's Talk for the latest updates on both of these important projects.

The City's applications to the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) and Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) both received rankings that put them in position to be funded by the Washington State legislature. The WWRP application ranked second out of four in the Water Access category and the ALEA application ranked seventh out of ten. Together, these two grants would provide two million dollars for waterfront improvements.

The next step is for the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board to recommend the project listings to the governor at its October 25 meeting. If that goes as planned, then the projects may be included in the Governor's proposed 2023-2024 budget in December. The legislature passes the budget in April/May 2023, and if all goes well the funding becomes available in July 2023.

The City has successfully applied to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for major grants to support improvements for the Luther Burbank Park waterfront. The grants from the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) and Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) would total $2 million if awarded. An additional $454,000 in grant funding will be sought this fall from the King County Flood Control District as match. The total estimate for this project scope is $3.2 million. This package is the cornerstone of the comprehensive waterfront improvements which include powerboat docks and the stabilization of the Boiler Building.

The project elements covered under these grants include:

• Site access paths and ramps
• An expanded cobble beach
• A non-motorized boating dock with a low freeboard float
• Overwater stairs
• Renovated restrooms
• A viewing deck/outdoor classroom
• Drainage and low-impact development
• Furnishings, signs, lighting and landscaping

These grant projects received support letters from the following organizations and individuals. Many thanks for the great show of support:

• Friends of Luther Burbank Park
• Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce
• Mercer Island Community Fund
• Mercer Island Historical Society
• Washington Water Trails Association
• Recreational Boating Association of Washington
• Washington Kayak Club
• Seattle Sea Kayaking Club
• Seattle Adventure Sports
• parent of paddle camp participant
• parent of paddle camp participant
• Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust

The applications have been a multi-step process that began in February 2022. The applications will undergo review at the end of August. A preliminary project ranking will be made public by the end of September. City Council will consider the project budget during its review of the Capital Improvement Program budget in October.

The Luther Burbank Park docks have been repaired so they can continue to be a destination for waterfront visitors. Wood blocking was added to the most compromised pilings and bracing was repaired. This will extend the life of the docks another three seasons. In 2024, the two southern arms will be replaced by floating docks as part of a comprehensive waterfront renovation. Waterfront Construction's dive team completed the repairs in April.

On March 1, Mercer Island City Council accepted the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommended 30% design. In addition, it authorized staff's recommendation to combine the docks and waterfront project with the Boiler Building stabilization project for efficient design and construction of both projects. The Boiler Building, restroom and concession stand renovation and the outdoor classroom will be constructed as Phase 1 in 2023, while the docks and other waterfront improvements will be constructed as Phase 2 in 2024. The total cost for both projects is expected to be $6.8 million. Council has authorized a budget of $991,000 to complete the design of both phases. The City will immediately begin applying for the grants identified for these projects and advance the design to meet the project timeline.

At the March 1 meeting, Mercer Island City Council will consider the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation on the Luther Burbank Park Docks and Adjacent Waterfront 30% design. This recommendation includes all the recommendations of the Docks Subcommittee with a new recommendation for additional study of the overwater stairs to address safety and accessibility concerns. The City Council will consider how to fund the remaining design of the project and whether to coordinate this project with the stabilization of the adjacent Boiler Building which is planned on a similar timeline.

At its January 6 meeting, the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission will consider the 30% Design of the Luther Burbank Docks and Adjacent Waterfront. The design provides numerous new details about what might be built at the park. The new floating docks have been moved further offshore, the overwater stairs now include a platform landing, and over half the plaza will be covered with permeable pavers. See these details and others in the 30% plan set.

The design is a comprehensive renovation of a fifty year old facility. It is the based on the Concept Design approved by City Council in May 2021. The design team presented a preliminary design to the Luther Burbank Docks Subcommittee in October 2021 and the subcommittee revised the plan over the course of three meetings. The design team also met with the Arts Council and permit agencies to discuss details of particular concern to those entities. A preliminary probable cost estimate puts the total project cost at $4.05 million. It is estimated that about half of that will come from grants and other sources.

The meeting starts at 5:30pm. All are welcome to provide up to 3 minutes of comment on this project to the Parks and Recreation Commission in the Appearances portion of the meeting. Pre-registration for Appearances is required prior to the meeting. Please send an email to merrill.schadt@mercergov.org before 4pm on the day of the meeting if you wish to speak.

At its September 9 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission reappointed a subcommittee to take up the review of the draft 30% design developed by KPFF, Inc, the consultant for the City. The subcommittee met on September 16 and received an overview of the design from the consultant. It will continue its review at the next subcommittee meeting on October 28 from 10 am to 12pm. Anyone interested may view or listen to the meeting via Zoom conferencing technology.

The City of Mercer Island has been awarded a federal Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) to renovate the north pier at the Luther Burbank dock. The $379k grant is for both design and construction and covers 75% of the project costs. The City will contribute the remaining 25% match. This federal grant program is administered by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to develop and renovate boating facilities targeting guest recreational boats 26 feet and larger. The grant application was supported by Friends of Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island Community Fund, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce and the Recreational Boating Association of Washington. Construction will be coordinated with other elements of the overall project such as the new floating dock and shoreline access improvements. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024.