Mercer Island presents $105.5 million capital-improvement program; parks, water and sewer lead projects

Mercer Island city staff on Oct. 21 outlined a $105.5 million, biennial capital improvement program (CIP) that the city says includes 148 active projects and concentrates spending on parks, public buildings, streets, sewer and water infrastructure.

City staff said the bulk of the program is managed by Public Works: 137 city-managed projects span water and parks (29 projects each), 25 street projects, 20 public-building projects, 18 sewer projects and 16 stormwater projects. “It’s a big collaborative effort that helps us plan ahead and make smart strategic investments across the city,” Chief of Operations Jason Kidner said.

The presentation highlighted completed, active and planned projects across six program areas. Parks received an $18.1 million allocation in 2025–26, nearly one-third of which staff said comes from outside grants. Completed or near-complete park projects include renovations at Luther Burbank (seismic, roof and restroom work, supported by about $778,000 in state grant funding), a South Shoreline restoration (about $240,000 in King County grant support), new pickleball courts at former tennis courts (about $193,000 from King County), and the Roanoke Park playground replacement (the first completed playground funded by the city’s 2022 parks levy).

Active park work includes a major Luther Burbank waterfront project—now at roughly 90% design—with secured state and county grants totaling about $4.8 million; the…