Demolition to North Mercer building has begun

Published 11:44 am Tuesday, October 21, 2014

With the last tenant officially moved out of the North Mercer building, interior demolition and asbestos abatement recently began in preparation for the building’s teardown, to make way for construction of Elementary School #4.

C.H.I.L.D. school officially moved out the weekend of Oct. 11, making the building vacant for the first time in 50 years. At the Oct. 16 joint meeting between Mercer Island’s School Board and City Council, construction manager Brandy Fox said workers were able to salvage a lot out of the building, including the gym’s wood floor, seldom-used gym lockers and wood benches.

“Anything we could save, we did,” she said.

Fencing installed the first weekend of October will limit public access only to the high school parking area, which is west of Mary Wayte Pool. Those attending events planned at any of the fields in the evenings or weekends will need to park in the high school parking area. All others access points will be fenced off and locked.

The School Board authorized award of the abatement and demolition contract to Construction Group International, LLC, (CGI).