City names finalists in RFQ process for Tully’s site

Mainstreet Property Group LLC and Shelter Holding/Weinstein A+U had the preferred proposals.

In early September, the city of Mercer Island issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) seeking developers to design and build a development consisting of a city-owned commuter parking facility and a mixed-use residential/commercial structure in Town Center.

From that RFQ, the city received nine submissions and narrowed them down to five semi-finalists: Imagine Housing, Mainstreet Property Group LLC, Reve Development, Shelter Holding/Weinstein A+U and Stream Real Estate Partners.

On Oct. 22, the semi-finalists presented their qualifications and concepts at a city-hosted open house. More than 100 people attended the meeting. Earlier that day, the semi-finalists were interviewed by a committee consisting of city staff, planning and design commission representatives and outside technical advisors.

Mainstreet Property Group LLC and Shelter Holding/Weinstein A+U were selected to advance in the RFQ process as preliminary finalists. “Both teams are composed of strong, well-qualified consultant teams with a proven track record,” according to a city press release.

Initial design concepts from the finalists included space for the Mercer Island Center for the Arts as well as significant parking (as many as 150 parking spaces) for the future commuter parking facility.

As a next step, staff will conduct a thorough interview and background check with each team. The design concepts are preliminary and will be further refined once a finalist is selected.

The Mercer Island City Council is scheduled to meet with the finalists on Nov. 26. The selected firm then will enter into negotiations with the city for an exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA). Following formal council adoption of the ENA, the city will work with the community and developer to design the project.

The city intends to create a single parcel by assembling two separate properties, consisting of the “Tully’s” property (7810 SE 27th St.) and a portion of the city-owned land on Sunset Highway. The Tully’s property is currently under contract with the city. The project will develop a gateway connection between the city’s Town Center and the future Sound Transit Light Rail Station (opening in 2023).

For more information, visit www.mercergov.org/TC_CommuterParking or contact senior project manager Kirsten Taylor at kirsten.taylor@mercergov.org or at 206-275-7661.

City names finalists in RFQ process for Tully’s site