Luther Burbank Dock and Waterfront Renovations

Next Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Mercer Island City Council will consider awarding construction of the Luther Burbank Park Dock and Waterfront Improvements Project to Quigg Bros., Inc. (See AB6989). Details for attending the meeting virtually or in-person are available here.

Quigg Bros., Inc., is an Aberdeen-based firm specializing in marine construction. Their recent successfully completed waterfront projects around the state include the Des Moines Marina Redevelopment (2025-2026), the Port of Poulsbo Breakwater Replacement (2022-2024), the Fry Creek Pump Station Replacement for the City of Aberdeen (2022-2024), and multiple Foss Waterways projects for the City of Tacoma.

The total construction contract for the dock and waterfront projects is $6,730,000 (including sales tax). If awarded, construction is anticipated to begin this fall and will take approximately 15 to 18 months.

During construction, a portion of Luther Burbank Park will be closed to support construction activities and ensure public safety. The remainder of the park will remain open to the public throughout construction. Additional information about specific closures and impacts will be shared as construction progresses.

Regular updates will be shared here on Let’s Talk once construction begins. Stay tuned for more!

Community members can now take a self-guided tour of some Luther Burbank Park’s rich cultural and natural history via the STQRY app!

What is STQRY?

Pronounced “story,” this is the City’s digital platform for engaging the community with arts, culture, and heritage/history. The Mercer Island Arts Council launched STQRY in 2014, and the app currently features more than 30 entries about works in the public art collection as well as sculptures on view/for sale in the Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery. In 2023, the City started adding entries about Mercer Island history and heritage, including information about Riley Cove at Lincoln Landing.

Take a Tour of Luther Burbank Park

The Phase 1 Renovations completed at the Boiler Building in 2024 were partially funded through the Washington State Historical Society’s Heritage Capital Projects program. As a condition of the grant, the City developed a new interpretive program that highlights the rich history of Luther Burbank Park.

Using the STQRY platform and bronze plaques designed by local artist Marsha Rollinger, visitors can explore stories spanning from the early days of Mercer Island entrepreneur C.C. Calkins to the site’s later use as the Luther Burbank School. Together, these interpretive elements help bring the park’s unique history to life for visitors of all ages.

The tour includes stops at the following locations:

• Boiler Building
• Luther Burbank Park Administrative Building
• Former School Parade Grounds (located near the park flagpole)
• Dairy Barn Ruins
• Calkins Point

Four locations are marked with a bronze plaque designed by Rollinger and fabricated by Two Ravens Studio in Tacoma, WA. (An interpretive sign installed in 2025 denotes the Dairy Barn Ruins stop.)

How do I access the tour?

Community members can access the tour via STQRY in a few ways:

• Search “Explore Mercer Island” to download the free STQRY app in the App Store or Google Play. The tour can be accessed by clicking on the “Luther Burbank Park History Tour” button in the navigation bar on the bottom of the app.
• Visit mercerisland.stqry.app via a desktop or mobile web browser device and click on the “Luther Burbank Park History Tour” button.
• Scan the QR code located on each plaque to go straight to that feature’s STQRY entry.

Many thanks to the Mercer Island Historical Society and Friends of Luther Burbank Park for the collaboration over the last few years to bring this tour to fruition!

This week, the City advertised the Luther Burbank Park Waterfront Improvements project for construction, marking a major step forward in completing renovations at the waterfront!

Design for this project began in 2020 and aims to provide universal access to the Luther Burbank waterfront by:

• Renovating/replacing the docks to better serve hand-powered and motorized watercraft
• Adding ADA pathways from upland areas and to the waterfront, including a new accessible path to the water along the North Beach
• Installing a new ADA overwater platform to provide a stable surface where community members can enjoy activities on the water and "get their feet wet" at the plaza
• Enhancing shoreline ecological functions with habitat gravel, native vegetation, and lakebed cleanup
• Upgrading sewer, electrical, stormwater, and irrigation utilities as well as installing a new fire suppression system to serve the docks and Boiler Building
• Installing plaza improvements and amenities, including new surfacing, picnic tables/benches, signage, and the Mercer Island Medallions public art project

Construction is anticipated to begin in late summer or early fall. After a construction contract is awarded, the project is expected to take approximately 15 to 18 months to complete. Regular updates on project progress, schedule, and any anticipated park impacts will be shared on Let's Talk once construction begins.

Since 2022, the City has been coordinating with eight federal, state, and local agencies to secure more than 20 permits/approvals for this project, making this one of the most complex park redevelopment projects on Mercer Island in decades!

Thank you to the community for your patience as we worked to successfully permit this project.

The work on the Boiler Building and Annex is complete. The contractor is providing final documents. The contractor was not able to complete the sewer connection because the vault containing the sewer pump is leaking. It will be replaced when the waterfront renovation is constructed starting in Fall 2025. As part of the grant from Washington State Historical Society, new historical markers will be installed at this location and three other locations in the park. These markers will connect park users to a history of the park on the City's STQRY platform.

Phase 2 of the Boiler Building is planned for 2030. This will complete the renovation of the inside of the Boiler Building for expanded boating programs, including summer camps, classes and rentals. Additional ADA access and fire protection will be part of this phase.

On July 25, crews reached a major project milestone, completing the structural reinforcement of the building and chimney!

Other work on the project continued including:

• Reinstalling the parapet capstones along the perimeter of the roof.
• Painting the restrooms.
• Forming and pouring a new concrete countertop for the concession stand.
• Installing the new 400-amp power supply on the north wall of the building
• Installation of new plumbing fixtures.
• Installation of new outside light fixtures.
• Applying an anti-graffiti coating to the brick exterior.

Check out our photo library for pictures of the progress!

Work has started on the Luther Burbank Boiler Building renovation project.

The last week of February, the City’s contractor, Ferguson Construction, took control of the site, clearing brush around the building, standing up safety fencing, disconnecting electrical service, and installing project signs. They’ve made progress on the inside of the building – preparing the inside structure for new flooring, updated restrooms, and importantly, a new roof and seismic retrofits to stabilize the brick building and chimney.

The first phase of this work requires a wide safety area around the building, including through the waterfront plaza area. During this period of work, pedestrian routes have been detoured. These detours will be in place throughout spring. The City’s contractor will reopen access through the waterfront as soon as it is safe to do so.

Check out photos of the work in our Boiler Building Renovation Photo Library. Updated regularly.

Construction updates www.mercerisland.gov/boilerbuilding

At its January 2, 2024 regular meeting, the Mercer Island City Council awarded the bid proposal for Phase 1 of the Luther Burbank Boiler Building renovation project to Ferguson Construction (see AB 6380). The City Manager will now execute a contract with Ferguson and work will begin. The total cost of the contract is $2.5 million dollars.

What to Expect

As Phase 1 of the project moves forward, construction will begin in late winter this year and should be completed by the end of Q3* of this year. Here’s what park patrons should expect:

• Installation of a new roof and seismic retrofits to stabilize the brick building and chimney,
• Renovation of the boiler building restrooms, and
• Construction of a new rooftop deck on the annex.

The waterfront around the docks will remain open to the public but the area around the Boiler Building will be fenced off. There may be other restrictions to access periodically during construction.

Future phases of the 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.

This Project is Made Possible By…

The City has received a $513,000 grant from the Washington State Historical Society and $343,000 in grant funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office which will help cover the cost of the renovations. Washington State taxpayers contributed to the design of this project through a Department of Commerce Grant.

*This is an estimated timeline. Public agencies, contractors, and suppliers continue to experience shortages of materials and long lead times on critical items, such as structural steel, plumbing, and building materials.

On January 2, 2024, the Mercer Island City Council will consider awarding the Luther Burbank Boiler Building Phase 1 project to Ferguson Construction (see AB 6380).

If approved, Phase 1 of the project would see the installation of a new roof and seismic retrofits to stabilize the 1928 brick building and chimney, as well as renovate the restrooms and construct a new rooftop deck on the annex.

The total cost of the contract is $2.5 million dollars. The City has received a $513,000 grant from the Washington State Historical Society and $343,000 in grant funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office which will help cover the cost of the renovations.

If the project is awarded, construction would begin in late winter 2024. The waterfront around the docks will be closed to the public periodically during construction.

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. Washington State taxpayers contributed to the design of this project through a Department of Commerce Grant.

On October 25, 2023, the Mercer Island Arts Council voted to recommend the plan for integrated public art elements for the Luther Burbank Park waterfront. The plan centers on the Mercer Island Medallions, 12 unique bronze pieces that highlight the natural and cultural history of Mercer Island, Luther Burbank Park, and the Lake Washington region. Artist Marsha Rollinger worked with City staff, the waterfront design team, and the Mercer Island community to design the medallions during summer 2023. Other coordinated elements include historic plaques and embellishments for the Boiler Building, the waterfront light pole, and a new informational kiosk.

This public art project is funded by the City's 1% for Art in Public Places program and the Washington State Historical Society's Heritage Capital Project grant program. Rollinger was selected to develop the artwork following a competitive artist selection process that took place in early 2023.

The new art elements will be installed in 2025 at the end of construction of the waterfront renovation. Once installed, community members will be able to learn more about the project and individual pieces through STQRY, the City's digital engagement platform for public art. Learn more about Mercer Island's public art collection at www.mercerisland.gov/publicart.

Create a legacy at the waterfront! Opportunities to donate furnishings, artwork, and major site improvements are available this summer. Items include benches, tables, a drinking fountain, a kayak ramp, bronze medallions and a kiosk. Large site features such as a viewing deck, overwater platform and an elaborate terraced entrance to the waterfront are also offered. Scan the QR code to view items and make your donation today.

Donations will be accepted through the fall. Installation of donated items will occur in late 2024 or early 2025 during the completion construction. Inquiries should be directed to Paul West, Senior CIP Project Manager at 206-677-1028.