Thrift Shop Renovation Project
This project has ended
The City of Mercer Island is seeking input from the community on the Thrift Shop Renovation Project and specifically on alternative locations for donations processing. The potential Thrift Shop Renovation Project includes expanding retail floor space at the current Thrift Shop (7710 SE 34th Street) and proposes to relocate donation processing to a secondary site.
Background
Since 1970, proceeds from the Mercer Island Thrift Shop have been used to support services provided by the City of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (YFS) Department.
The Thrift Shop temporarily closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and has recentlyContinue reading
The City of Mercer Island is seeking input from the community on the Thrift Shop Renovation Project and specifically on alternative locations for donations processing. The potential Thrift Shop Renovation Project includes expanding retail floor space at the current Thrift Shop (7710 SE 34th Street) and proposes to relocate donation processing to a secondary site.
Background
Since 1970, proceeds from the Mercer Island Thrift Shop have been used to support services provided by the City of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (YFS) Department.
The Thrift Shop temporarily closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and has recently re-opened for sales on Sundays only. Donation receiving and processing resumed in the fall of 2020 on Saturdays only and was relocated to the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC) to accommodate Pandemic-related operating restrictions.
The existing Thrift Shop does not have the capacity to "hold" donations for a minimum of 48-hours before the items are sanitized and moved to the sales floor. MICEC will continue to host Thrift Shop donation processing until recreation programs and services resume, tentatively anticipated for the summer of 2020.
Expanding Retail by Moving Donations Processing to a Second Location
The ongoing operating limitations at the Thrift Shop presented a unique and timely opportunity to consider a potential capital improvement project at the facility.
In the summer of 2020 the City Council directed the staff to explore a potential remodel of the Thrift Shop to expand the retail floor space. The expansion of the retail floor space requires donation receiving and processing to move to a secondary location.
The City owned former Recycling Center (3205 77th Ave SE), currently used for storage and park restrooms, is within walking distance of the Thrift Shop and was identified as a possible site to house Thrift Shop donation receiving and processing.
Click here for more information on the initial work performed by the architect.
In November 2020 the City Council paused work on the project to request community feedback and to solicit ideas for alternative donation processing sites.
How To Provide Feedback And Location Ideas
At its meeting on Feb 2, 2021, the City Council voted to suspend this project.
Feedback is no longer being gathered.
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We Need Your Help Identifying an Alternate Donation & Processing Site
about 3 years agoThank you for providing input. This section is now closed (1/26/2021).The City of Mercer Island is seeking input from the community on the Thrift Shop Renovation Project and specifically on alternative locations for donations processing. If you'd like to provide general feedback on the project, please share your thoughts here.
When sharing alternative location ideas for donation processing, there are a few things to keep in mind. For example, donation processing involves moving large bins and items - the space needs to be able to accommodate these items (think furniture). Also, the space needs to be big enough to store seasonal items that will be moved to and from the Thrift Shop as seasons change. Here are a few other considerations to keep in mind:
- Existing, on-island facility or property.
- Adequate square footage, approximately 2,000sf or more is desired.
- Open floor plan to facilitate processing operations.
- Ground-level access between unloading and intake areas.
- Ample access and circulation area for vehicle queuing and on-site drop-off.
- Access for solid waste trucks (garbage/recycling) and bulk sales (loading for larger trucks).
- Access to utilities and restrooms.
In addition to these site and facility requirements, the site will need to be zoned B, PBZ, CO, P, or TC to be allowed by the Mercer Island Unified Land Development Code More information on these zones is available on the CPD website (https://www.mercerisland.gov/cpd/page/zoning-island). Follow this link to view the zoning map.Please share your location ideas below!
EastSeattleover 3 years agoRunning two locations will be difficult and require more staff and handling of goods. Security will have to be provided in two locations
Has there been an estimate on increase in operating costs? I am not in favor in investing in the existing very old building and not in favor or operating two sites as I believe the increased operating costs will exceed the increased revenue. It will take much more management time to manage more employees and two sites. I would think sales are more based on the number of customers-and there may be fewer customers if the drop-off is located else where. I know the only time I "shop" is when I "drop".
0 comment1AshleyHayabout 3 years agoBehind City Hall
The City Hall parking lot is enormous and rarely full - it is ideally situated in a convenient North end location, and with 2 driveways, vehicles dropping off donations can easily pass through without impeding traffic. Please do not build in our beautiful parks! Thank you.
0 comment0Bonnieover 3 years agoAnywhere but Parkland please. Several good suggestions so far but also I see a lot of for lease signs on commercial space around the island.
Not parkland.
0 comment3mjislandinfoover 3 years agoThe property where City Hall and the City Garage are located has a lot of extra space, parking and access for trucks.
0 comment1seattlebarbabout 3 years agoSince it is so expensive to build, why not remove the playground area and add on to the thrift store. Build new playground where recycling
new playground where recycling center was
0 comment0
Videos
Timeline
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Introduction of Project
Thrift Shop Renovation Project has finished this stageJune 2020
First presented at the June 16, 2020 City Council meeting, Council authorized staff to investigate opportunities for relocating donation processing and expanding retail floor space at the Thrift Shop, and appropriated funds to select a consultant to assist with the exercise.
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Analysis and Concept Development
Thrift Shop Renovation Project has finished this stageJune-November 2020
Staff collaborated with an outside architectural consultant (OAI) to develop a concept of the project. At the September 22nd City Council meeting, both concepts – City staff’s early concept and the consultant's approach – were presented. The City Council preferred the consultants approach and authorized the project to move forward to design.
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Public Input
Thrift Shop Renovation Project has finished this stageNovember-December 2020
At the November 17, 2020 City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to suspend design work and conduct a public input process.
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Project Ended
Thrift Shop Renovation Project is currently at this stageAt their February 2 meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to suspend the project. See the videos section to watch the meeting.
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Design (canceled)
this is an upcoming stage for Thrift Shop Renovation ProjectPotential Future PhaseUpon direction from the City Council, the consultants will prepare construction documents for the project. This phase incorporates all formal land use, environmental, building code, and operational research and design. The final product will be a complete set of construction documents and supporting documentation which will be submitted to the Community Planning and Development (CPD) department for review. -
Permitting (canceled)
this is an upcoming stage for Thrift Shop Renovation ProjectPotential Future PhaseThe City submits construction and supporting documentation and applications to the Community Development Department (CPD) for review. Upon review and approval, building and other permits can be issued to allow construction to begin. -
Construction (canceled)
this is an upcoming stage for Thrift Shop Renovation ProjectPotential Future PhaseOnce funding, contracts, and permits are in place, construction on the project can begin.
Who's Listening
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Project Manager
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