Golden Falls by Debra Van Tuinen

September 1, 2021

"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
— E.E. Cummings

It’s with great pleasure & delight that we re-launch our First Friday tradition! Please join us this First Friday, September 3rd (along with Clarke + Clarke, Barrels and other local Mercer Island businesses), as we welcome back celebrated PNW artist, Debra Van Tuinen. Golden Falls will be on display through the end of September. Not to be missed!

Join our (masked) festivities with a cocktail, fine arts and an outdoor plaza gathering at the SZ Gallery. Can’t wait to see you, in person!

Suzanne Zahr Confirmed on MI Design Commission for 2nd Term.

September 1, 2021

On August 31, 2021, the City Council confirmed Suzanne Zahr as one of the seven Design Commissioners for Mercer Island for a second term. As an architect with civil engineering background, Suzanne fills one of the seats as a professional member. She has established a Design/Build firm on Mercer Island under her name and SZ Build, bringing over 20 years of experience that includes time with NBBJ, Olson Kundig, Starbucks, and Amazon (as an IA consultant). She is excited to continue providing her expertise in design and architecture through this volunteer position.

Established in 1972, the Design Commission board is a group of volunteers who each serve for four years. Each commissioner is confirmed by the majority vote of the City Council. The Design Commissioners serve as an advisory board to City Council, providing expert advice on design matters related to the City’s commercial buildings in the Mercer Island Town Center.

ViV Crossing: Rêve Development

June 24, 2021

Rêve is the French word for ‘dream’, and we dream of exciting opportunities to enhance our local community through creative and impactful property development. ViV Crossing, at the intersection of Rainier Ave S and MLK Jr Way in Seattle, is well on its way to bringing one of such dreams into reality.

This Transit Oriented Development (TOD), 8-story building is designed to respond to its angular site, serving as the ‘Flat Iron’ of the Mt Baker neighborhood. In addition to the 172 residential rental units (SEDUs, Studios & One-Bedrooms), ViV Crossing features a spectacular rooftop amenity with indoor and outdoor areas to gather and enjoy the sweeping views from downtown Seattle to the North to Mt Rainier towards the South. This new development will activate the ground level with 3,000 sf for Retail /Restaurant use, along with very cool Live/Work Lofts.

Along with our fabulous team of collaborators, including Encore Architects and Graham Construction, we look forward to seeing this vision come to life!

Care for the Cottage: Mercer Island grassroots fundraiser!

June 24, 2021

Whether you are a supporter of early childhood education, performing arts, youth development through horsemanship, or preservation of historical places - you can check all those boxes with this one special cause.

Built in 1918, the teacher’s Cottage and the adjacent Lakeview Schoolhouse (home to Sunnybeam) are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fire it suffered 3 years ago left the dwelling uninhabitable. As a very rare gem of island history this cottage can’t be left to rot!

In the early 60’s, community-based Pioneer Park Youth Club, took over the property as a land trust with a mission to foster the learning of children. This goal already has a rich history through occupants Sunnybeam, Children’s Dance Conservancy, and MI Saddle Club, plus newcomer MI Pony Club. We need this cottage as a home for a caretaker to oversee safety and maintenance for this lively place which has seen hundreds of kids and families go through its gates for a century and will for decades to come!

Please consider donating to our grassroots fundraiser: ‘Care for the Cottage’! We’re asking you, our Mercer Island neighbors, to make a tax-deductible contribution to fund the cottage restoration.