Mercer Island to advertise Luther Burbank waterfront improvement project for construction

City Manager Jesse Bond announced at the June 2 council meeting that the city is advertising the Luther Burbank Waterfront Improvement Project for construction. Bids will close June 30, and staff expect to bring a bid award to council in July, with construction lasting about 15 to 18 months.

"We are advertising the Luther Burbank Waterfront Improvement Project for construction," City Manager Jesse Bond said, noting the project dates to the park master plan adopted in 2006 and design work that began in 2020. He told the council the project will add universal access, dock repairs, a reconfigured shoreline, a new pathway, a beach and plaza upgrades, and new utilities.

Bond said the city has secured more than $5 million in state and county grant funding to support the project and described permitting as a major milestone: the work requires more than 20 permits from eight federal, state and local agencies. Staff told the council the bid process will conclude on June 30 and that the anticipated schedule calls for a July bid award and roughly 15–18 months of construction.

The city manager framed the project as a long-term, complex waterfront improvement that moves from planning and permitting into construction procurement. Council members did not propose any amendments or alternatives during the briefing; staff will return with the bid award and contract details once the procurement is complete.