Luther Burbank Docks and Adjacent Waterfront Renovation and Upgrade

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.

On May 18, Mercer Island City Council approved the recommended Concept Design for the Luther Burbank Dock and Adjacent Waterfront. City Council also appropriated the funding to move the design forward to the 30% stage, which will provide decision-makers cost and permitting analysis. The design includes an expanded beach area and bulkhead steps for improved shoreline access, and waterfront plaza renovations to address aging facilities there. The 30% design will be completed this summer and fall. The Parks and Recreation Commission will review preliminary design products before making its recommendations to City Council on how to proceed.

At its April 1 meeting, the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission approved a concept design for the Luther Burbank docks and adjacent waterfront. The Commission will forward its recommendation to Mercer Island City Council which is schedule to consider it at its May 18, 2021 meeting.

The main work product is a graphic plan which is accompanied by a list of the design elements giving more explanation.

This work product was the result of six meetings of the Commission and four meetings of its dock subcommittee. It calls for new floating docks that will serve small powerboats and non-motorized watercraft, an expanded beach area to the north of the plaza with ADA access to the shoreline, and plaza renovations that update the 47 year-old facility. Construction of these improvements is still several years away. Design will be completed in 2022 which enables the City to apply for state and local grants to support the construction. Even so, this comprehensive scope of work will likely be completed in phases as funding becomes available.

On March 4, the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission will take up the Luther Burbank Docks Draft Preferred Concept Plan developed by its three-member subcommittee. This draft plan includes schematic design of the new docks, proposed improvements to the cobble beach to the north of the docks, and proposed renovation of the plaza between the docks and the Boiler Building. The subcommittee considered environmental quality, intensity of use, congruence with the Luther Burbank Master Plan and the unique character of the site in developing this initial product. At the March 4 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission will review this product and provide the subcommittee input towards finalizing the plan.

In January 2021, the Commission appointed three members to form the Luther Burbank Docks Subcommittee. Commissioner Peter Struck was appointed as chair, with Commissioners Lyn Gualtieri and Rory Westberg as members. They have worked diligently at three meetings over the course of four weeks to develop this draft work product. Those interested in the project will want to take a look at the Draft Preferred Concept Plan and the Elements of the Draft Concept Plan documents, also available on the meetings webpage. An analysis of the preferred concept plan in comparison to the initial concept alternatives is also available. Comment on these products can be offered to the Commission by participating in the Publlic Appearances portion of the meeting agenda, by emailing paul.west@mercerisland.gov, or by leaving a comment on this project page.