March Updates on Project Permitting and Construction

Major progress has been achieved since the last project update for the Luther Burbank Park Sport Courts Renovation. This post provides an overview of work that has been completed and highlights what's next for this project.

Outcomes of Lighting Exploration

In November, consultants from Stantec Engineering evaluated opportunities to install lighting at the courts and developed a base electrical plan that includes conduit and junction boxes. The base electrical plan is included in the permit submittal and will be installed as part of the court renovations this spring/summer. Additionally, Stantec is developing a full lighting design, which staff anticipate completing later this year. If the City Council directs staff to move forward with constructing the lights, that project will be completed as a second phase. More details about that process will be shared later this year after the full lighting design is drafted.

Design for Construction Access

Associated Earth Sciences Inc. (AESI) completed a geotechnical assessment of the hill area south of the existing sport courts, which needs to be partially excavated to create construction access from the parking lot to the courts. LPD Engineering, the sub-consultant engaged to assist with civil engineering and permitting needs, used the report recommendations to design the construction access path. At the end of construction, this access will be formalized into an accessible concrete path that leads from the parking lot to the existing south court entrance.

Permitting & Construction Timeline

Additional design work for the electrical and construction plans was completed earlier this month, and staff submitted for permits on March 11, 2024. DA Hogan is finalizing pricing and the construction timeline with Beynon Sports, the contractor the City is working with through the King County Directors Association (KCDA) purchasing cooperative. Historically, the City has used KCDA to purchase commodities and allied services for products ranging from garbage cans to the Island Crest Park synthetic turf field. Recent parks projects constructed through a purchasing cooperative include the Mercerdale Park Playground (2022), the Bike Skills Area (2023), and the north infield turf replacement at Island Crest Park (2024).

Purchasing through KCDA is an efficient means of procurement when much of the project is commodities with predictable installation needs. Since the competitive bidding process is already completed through KCDA, using KCDA is a faster process than the phased design/bid/construct process typical with other types of public works’ projects. Staff and the consultant reviewed KCDA’s vendor list for sport/athletic court projects and preliminarily selected Beynon Sports, who designs and builds tennis and pickleball facilities throughout the Northwest.

The renovated courts are on track to open this summer, and the courts will remain available for pickleball play until construction begins. Additional play options are available at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. See the schedule here.