Executive director update: Pioneer Island tiki bar, T Wall progress, Mercury Marine environmental review and ATC easement concerns

The executive director’s report on May 17 covered several development and property-management items spanning temporary uses, project permitting, and utility easements.

Pioneer Island: Kelly said the city received a temporary use permit from the island owner to operate a seasonal tiki bar that would reuse an existing structure, add seating and recreational features, and place portable restrooms and temporary fencing as needed while the island remains for sale.

T Wall and Main Street: Kelly reported work on the T Wall project is close to proceeding but staff are waiting on one outstanding item from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). She noted recent street work on East Ninth Avenue and expects continued progress next season, including plans to demolish the old sanitation garage to enable future construction.

Mercury Marine parcel: Kelly said the Mercury Marine parking-lot project cleared zoning approvals but that staff are drafting environmental-language protections in coordination with the city’s environmental consultant, AECOM, Mercury Marine and the DNR to clarify liability for site work.

ATC easements: Staff described requests from ATC to take easements across former railroad right-of-way the city now owns. Kelly said no easements have been signed and the request could “negatively impact a lot of our RDA and other city lots, city parks,” so departments are conducting due diligence before agreeing to terms.

Other updates included soil/berm handling related to a nearby bridge alignment coordination with DOT. The board set the next regular meeting for July 19 and Kelly said staff would circulate June special-meeting date options to review numerous infill lot offers.