City Issuing Demolition Permit, Fire Department Training to Occur
Update: The demolition permit and construction permits were issued on 6/14/2024. Demolition of the existing buildings is expected in the coming days.
The City of Mercer Island will be issuing a Demolition Permit for the existing structures at the site of the proposed Xing Hua mixed use development. Since the Design Commission's decision to conditionally approve the proposal in late 2021, the City has been reviewing construction permit applications. It is anticipated construction permits will be issued in the near future - this page will be updated as new information becomes available.
The property owners have partnered with fire services agencies to allow for fire department training on the structure before the building is demolished. Eastside Fire & Rescue, along with crews from Kent, Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, and Auburn, will be conducting non-live fire destructive firefighter training. This will include the following:
- Vertical ventilation on the roof (cutting holes)
- Forcible entry
- Search and Rescue
This type of training provides realistic skill exercises allowing firefighters to conduct essential practice on actual structures. No fire, or water, will be used in this training. There will be onsite training officers during the training and the building will be secured each day until it is demolished.
Islanders may see fire services activity in the area throughout this week, but should know activity at this building is a training.