Our monthly “Island Links” blog post is a curated list of the previous month’s most notable Mercer Island-related links from around the web.
As publishers of My Mercer Island, part of our mission is to help keep our readers informed of local news, issues, and events. You’ve probably noticed that My MI isn’t an outlet for hard-hitting, investigative journalism (we leave the hard work to the Mercer Island Reporter), though we do aim to stay as fair and balanced as possible with the information we share on this blog.
The Reporter article that we have included below has led to intense and acrimonious discussion in our community. Despite the discord, we share it here in keeping with our mission and also because it would be an omission not to include it in our regular monthly round-up of “Island Links.”
Election day is tomorrow and if you haven’t voted yet, we encourage you to gather all the information you need to make the best decision you can in voting for the best candidates to serve our community. You can find a quick overview on all your local candidates for the November 7th General Election here.
And here are all the latest links to catch our eye:
Biggest recent story
Journalists and community members are questioning the college credentials of Mercer Island City Council candidate Joy Langley, who indicated on her candidate statement (published in the King County Official Local Voters Pamphlet) that she received a BA in Philosophy from Cornell University. [Mercer Island Reporter | The Seattle Times]
You can read Joy Langley’s response to the Mercer Island Reporter’s article here. Tom Acker is also running for City Council Position Number 4.
Most Interesting Media Appearance
Popular Science magazine named the East Link Light Rail expansion over Lake Washington in its annual list of the “most important innovations in engineering.”
Our Favorite Heartwarming and Inspiring Stories
We loved this interview with dog photographer Nancy Levine, which includes a “photo walk-about” in Pioneer Park with Levine, along with her dogs Sosi and Herbie. Levine shares great tips about capturing “the essence” of dogs on camera. [King 5 – VIDEO]
Click on the screen capture above to view King 5’s walk-about interview in Pioneer Park with Nancy Levine, Sosi, and Herbie.
A globally renowned dance program designed for people with Parkinson’s is now available at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center. Classes are free for participants and are taught by two instructors and a live musician. [Mercer Island Reporter]
The handy Mercer Island Directory marked 75 years in publication this year. The directory also serves a good cause with net proceeds of advertising sales benefiting the Seattle Children’s Hospital. [Mercer Island Reporter]
Real Estate News
Mercer Island’s historic Shorewood Heights apartment complex was recently purchased for $210 million by multi-family housing company Greystar, marking the second largest monetary apartment sale of the year. The PSBJ article includes an interview with Kenny Dudunakis, a Berkadia Senior Managing Director, who was the broker for the property, which garnered 20 offers. [Puget Sound Business Journal Subscriber Content]
The Puget Sound Business Journal also reported the recent $95.75 million sale of The Hadley, Mercer Island’s newest apartment complex, located in Town Center. It was purchased Resmark Apartment Living, according to the article. [Puget Sound Business Journal Subscriber Content]
The City of Mercer Island has received a permit for the demolition of the Old Boys and Girls Club, which some may remember as the East Seattle elementary school, which is located on West Mercer Way. According to the article, the 2.87-acre property may be subdivided for 14 single-family homes. [Mercer Island Reporter]
Sellers beware. Homes listed for sale on Mercer Island and throughout King County are being targeted for theft, which are occurring during open houses. [KOMO News]
City and School News and Notes
The Mercer Island School Board voted unanimously in favor of placing an educational maintenance and operations levy proposition on the February 2018 special election ballot. The four-year levy replaces the one that was passed by Mercer Island voters in 2014. [Mercer Island School District]
The Mercer Island City Council voted unanimously in favor of finalizing its acceptance of Sound Transit’s package of mitigation measures first offered in May 2017 and valued at just over $10 million. [City of Mercer Island]
The City of Mercer Island and the Mercer Island Center for the Arts are exploring alternative sites to the proposed arts center, putting previous plans for building the center at Mercerdale Park on “pause.” [Mercer Island Reporter]
