Mercer Island opens new Town Center Parking Area

After nearly six months of construction, Mercer Island’s Town Center Parking Area is now open at the end of East Sunset Highway.

Located on the site of the former Tully’s Coffee building, the city announced on July 23 that 33 new stalls are now available for all-day parking.

According to the city’s Let’s Talk page, the area “is aimed primarily at commuters leaving Mercer Island and for those who need to be in Town Center all day.” The city awarded the contract to OMA Construction in January with a project bid for $1.7 million, and the total project cost was estimated at $2,446,932, according to the city.

To utilize the lot, people are first required to register their vehicles using the ParkMobile app. The city developed the following parking rates based on a market study: After obtaining free parking for the first two hours, people must pay $2.50 per hour thereafter, up to a daily maximum of $12.50 with up to 14 hours of parking allowed, according to Let’s Talk. The document adds that these regulations will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week.

Next up on the project docket will be landscaping this fall, followed by the addition of lighting and bike lockers later this year.

Several residents have flocked to the city’s Facebook page to state their comments about the Town Center Parking Area project.

Comments ranged from appreciation for the city’s efficient work on the area, to the ask for discount/free/preferential parking for Mercer Island residents, to noting the city could have used the space for a performing arts center, to calling this project a “money grab.” There were at least 45 comments at the time of this writing.

The city said it appreciates residents’ social media feedback and that its Let’s Talk page addresses many of Islanders’ concerns.

City Manager Jessi Bon issued the following statement to the Reporter on the project: “As we prepare for the opening of the light rail station in 2026, the city has been thoughtfully planning how to support future transit access while also mitigating potential impacts to the Town Center. Replacing the long-vacant and deteriorating Tully’s building with a new parking area is one of many steps toward that goal. The city is also in the process of implementing two-hour free parking throughout Town Center. The two-hour limit is designed to incentivize parking turnover in support of Mercer Island businesses.”

Mercer Island staff said the city considered using the lot as a city satellite facility, “but the building was sited poorly and prevented efficient use of the property. Additionally, estimated costs to repair the building would have exceeded the cost of replacement.”

It’s been nearly a decade since the city began planning for the arrival of light rail. When that day comes, parking demand in Town Center and at the nearby park and ride will likely increase, according to a city document.

Mercer Island City Council adopted the Mercer Island Town Center Parking plan in November 2023 that is aimed at activating Town Center, supporting small businesses and enhancing the Town Center visitor experience. One of the strategies is managing the on-street parking supply to make parking easier to find, better enforced, and more conducive to parking once and being able to walk to multiple destinations, according to a city document.

“The city will be collecting data and closely monitoring parking conditions in the Town Center following the opening of the new light rail station and will revisit parking policies as needed,” the city said.

For more information, visit the city’s Let’s Talk Town Center Parking Project page at: https://tinyurl.com/wz6h7d8y; and the MI Let’s Talk Town Center Parking Plan page at: https://tinyurl.com/mubu3hh9