Development

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray joined other officials on Friday, April 26 in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Angle Lake light-rail station to be built at South 200th Street and 28th Avenue South in SeaTac.

Preliminary construction is already underway at Sea-Tac Airport and project construction is set to begin this month. The station is slated to open in September 2016, four years earlier than originally planned.

The sped-up construction schedule is designed to alleviate parking pressure at the Tukwila International Boulevard Station. The new 200th station will feature a 700 parking garage as well as a temporary surface parking lot. The surface lot may go away when light rail is extended to the Kent/Des Moines Road-Highline Community College area in 2023.

The early opening will also coincide with the opening of the University of Washington light rail station. Officials say UW students will be able to go from the Angle Lake Station to the university in 49 minutes on light rail.

Chip Davis has been appointed Burien’s Community Development director, replacing Scott Greenberg who left for a similar position on Mercer Island.


Davis has been a planner with the city since 2002. Previously, he worked as a consultant for communications companies developing cell phone tower sites in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and upstate New York. He also worked as a Spokane Transit Authority planner for 15 years..

Davis has a bachelor's degree in planning from the University of Washington and conducted graduate work at Eastern Washington University.

At the April 15 Burien City Council meeting, Davis said he is “very energized by the future.

“Based on pre-application meetings, we haven’t seen this level of development in several years.”

Navos Mental Health Solutions CEO David Johnson filled lawmakers in on one of the big new construction projects in Burien.

After merging with Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center and Seattle Children’s Home, Navos has decided to consolidate some programs at the Dykeman campus on Lake Burien.

Unfortunately, the landslide that caused widespread destruction near Coupeville may soon be repeated in Burien if the Westmark Emerald Pointe project continues to move forward.

Westmark recently obtained from the city of Burien a permit to clear ALL but 8 significant trees from 9.62 acres of steeply sloped terrain directly above the Highline School District Puget Sound Skills Center, the Environmental Science Center and its fish hatchery and wetlands at the north end of Seahurst Park.

With hundreds of trees removed and less than 1 significant tree per acre, what will be left is sparse unprotected slopes unable to absorb rainwater and run off. This land in question is clearly marked as landslide area on the City of Burien's own Critical Areas map (http://www.burienwa.gov/?nid=717).

Every year slides occur on or within close proximity of the land in question. In the recent past there has been the Maplewild Avenue Slide, Cove Point Road Slide, Goat Hill Slide, and multiple Three Tree Point Slides. It is the structural and environmental soundness of the Westmark Emerald Pointe project that continues to concern citizens.

(Editor's Note: This update reflects corrections to the previously-posted story.)

The Burien City Council rebuffed Lake Burien residents again April 1 in their efforts to have the city’s land use map changed to show the neighborhood as low-density use.

Mayor Brian Bennett and council members Jack Block Jr., Rose Clark, Gerald Robison and Joan McGilton opposed placing the request on the 2013 comprehensive plan amendments docket. Deputy Mayor Lucy Krakowiak and Councilmember Bob Edgar voted to place it on the docket.

The vote was not on approving the request but just on whether the city should consider the matter further.

‘It’s like the Supreme Court deciding which cases to take,” City Manager Mike Martin noted.

The council is expected to vote on the comprehensive plan amendments at the end of the year.

The City Council has previously rejected the proposal. The proposal is not eligible to be put back on the docket for another three years after rejection unless circumstances have changed.

During public comments a tag team of Lake Burien residents argued the neighborhood has markedly changed since 2010 when the request was on the plan docket.

Press release:

After conducting a three-month search period, the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce their selection of a new President/CEO. Carol Kolson will assume the role on Monday, April 8, 2013. She was selected out of more than 40 applicants. 


Carol has been involved with the Southwest King County Chamber for the last 6 years and is excited to help lead the Chamber. She has a 28-year banking career, most recently at HomeStreet Bank for 13 years. She has also worked in Marysville, Camano Island, Everett and Bellevue as a banker. Most of her banking career has focused on building meaningful relationship with clients.

Carol has served on the Southwest King County Chamber Board of Directors in the Chair position, Golf Tournament Chair, Funding and Events Committee and the Ambassador Committee. She believes being an active member at the Southwest King County Chamber resulted in new and long lasting client relationships.

Press release:
Seattle-based Ariel Development announced today its plan for construction of Hyatt Place at SeaTac to be built at 19518 International Boulevard in the City of SeaTac. Construction is set to begin before end of year.
Scheduled to open in early 2016, the hotel will feature 150 rooms, adjacent to nearby Angle Lake Park. Amenities will include a pool, fitness room and 2,500 to 3,500 square feet of meeting space
“The City of SeaTac is an epicenter for our region, and is an ideal site for this new property,” said Shimon Mizrahi of Ariel Development. “Its central location between Seattle and Tacoma provides an easy access point to freeways and the airport, as well as the city itself. We see a lot of potential on the scenic Angle Lake waterfront and the amenities guests can enjoy. We know the hotel will not only thrive here—it will create employment opportunities for the residents and neighboring communities.”
The estimated $25 million project has enlisted Seattle-based Linardic Design Group Architects, including all construction and soft costs. Hyatt Place plans to recruit 60 to 80 employees.

The stalled Burien Town Square saga continues as the Burien City Council voted unanimously Monday, Feb. 25, to direct Harbor Urban, owner of the still undeveloped parcels at Town Square, to sell those parcels to another real estate developer, Legacy Partners, as permitted under the city agreements with Harbor Urban.

Legacy wants to complete the multi-family housing-retail project in Burien’s city center and has submitted to the city a redevelopment proposal that calls for a mix of upper-scale multi-family housing and retail.

The remaining undeveloped Town Square property is just north of the current Town Square condominiums and Library/City Hall between Southwest 152nd and Southwest 150th streets.

In agreeing to the switch in developers, Councilmember Gerald Robison commented, “Harbor Urban hasn’t come up with anything.”

Councilmember Jack Block Jr. also agreed but urged Legacy Partners to “keep the city’s vision within current market conditions.”

The council and city staff originally envisioned the remaining parcels would be contain condominiums and retail space much like in the first phase.

Press release:

Discover Burien will be hosting their 2013 Annual Awards Dinner and
Silent Auction Fundraiser March 1, 2012 at the Burien Community Center (14700 6th Ave SW, Burien) from 6 – 10 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $40 in advance or $50 at the door.
The 2012 Leadership awards were selected from nominations from the community and voted upon by the Discover Burien Board of Directors.

The award recipients are as follows:
 Business Leader of the Year – Scott Schaefer, SoKing Media/B-Town Blog
 Student Leader of the Year – Sierra Flanagan, Senior, Highline High School
 Discover Burien Volunteer of the Year – Denise Ferguson
 Team Clean Sweep Recognition of the Year – Alestaire Echavia
 Non-Profit Leader of the Year – NAVOS

Press release:

The City of SeaTac announces Joe Scorcio as Director of Community and Economic Development.

“We’re excited to have Joe join our team as the new Community and Economic Development Director,” said Todd Cutts, city manager. “He brings with him a wealth of experience that we believe will translate into solid leadership in the department and great customer service in the business community for years to come.”

Scorcio has 29 years of experience in public service positions for Pierce County including leadership of the award-winning 930-acre Chambers Creek Property Master Site Plan with Chambers Bay Golf Course as its centerpiece.

He has served on a variety of regional boards and commissions including the Puget Sound Air Quality Authority and the Tacoma - Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

In 2010, the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau awarded Scorcio the Community Unity Award. He is a member of the American Institute for Certified Planners and he is active in the community supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs, Humane Society and the Chambers Creek Foundation.

Burien artist Shelli Park, who has her own display at Burien Town Square, has let us know about another Burien artist whose work will be displayed at the Square retail space:

“Don Liljar was an artist who lived in Burien for at least 40 years, creating his art most recently in a modest home on SW 158th at 14th Ave SW. Some may remember seeing a large wheeled contraption in his front window. I often wondered what it was as I drove by. I know that I’m not the only one.

“I was invited over a year ago to help move what turned out to be a large sculpture of a steam-powered tricycle from his home to the home of Bob Frey. It is a wonderful and imaginative piece of art. This was my introduction to the world of Don Liljar.

“A huge selection of his work has been entrusted to Normandy Park Arts Commissioner Bob Frey by Don’s widow. With Bob’s blessing this work will be exhibited for the month of January, and part of February, in the NE retail space at Burien Town Square. It is best seen at night.

“Thank you Burien Town Square for letting your empty retail space shine with Burien’s artists!”