West Seattle Herald / White Center News - Development

Sen. Murray joins officials in breaking ground for new SeaTac light-rail station

ericm — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:36:38 +0000

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.

Light rail will extend 1.6 miles from the Sea-Tac City Center/airport station on an elevated guideway. The new station will straddle South 200th Street with entrances on both the north and south sides of the street.

The elevated station will include covered waiting areas, public art and a plaza that SeaTac staffers hope serves as a neighborhood gathering area.

SeaTac Mayor Tony Anderson noted at the groundbreaking ceremony that the elevated station will have excellent views of Mount Rainier, Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. He suggested photographers will come to the station to take pictures of the sunset.

With the opening of the new station, the city of SeaTac will have two light-rail stations with a third one, the Tukwila station, across the street from the city limits at Tukwila International Boulevard and South 154th Street. King County Council vice chair Julia Paterson said Sound Transit has invested over $700 million for the three stations along the south Highway 99 corridor.

Sen. Murray, chair of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, worked with the Federal Transit Administration and Sound Transit to secure $26 million in federal funding.

She said $5,000 riders a day are expected to use the south SeaTac station.

“That’s 5,000 more customers for local businesses and 5,000 less cars on Interstate 5,” Murray said.

When the UW station is opened, 250,000 riders a day are expected to use light rail throughout the system, Murray added.

Gov. Jay Inslee was scheduled to attend the ceremony but stayed in Olympia as the state Legislature grapples with the state budget. Paterson noted Inslee was the first governor ever scheduled to attend a light-rail groundbreaking.

The new state transportation secretary, Lynn Peterson, represented the governor. Peterson noted the Angle Lake station project will generate 2,600 local jobs.

Councilmember Patterson, who represents the SeaTac area, said the city contains many working class families who cannot afford cars and are very dependent on affordable transit.

Patterson said it will take 31 minutes to go from the station to the sports stadiums and 49 minutes to downtown Seattle.

She also noted the station is close to the Des Moines Creek Trail and the proposed “Lake to Sound” Trail that would link Lake Washington in Renton with Puget Sound in Des Moines.

Patterson, who announced earlier in the day that she will not seek re-election after 23 years in public office, noted she has fond memories of riding her horse, Dusty, down Highway 99. She joked that a statue of her and her horse should be erected at the station.

State Rep. Dave Upthegrove noted he grew up in the area as the son of an airline pilot and flight attendant. He said light-rail trains connect people much like airplanes.

Sea-Tac Airport director Mark Reis said the airport is the front door to the region for domestic travelers and the front door to the United States for foreign travelers. He said airline travelers are increasingly using light rail when they land.

King County Executive Dow Constantine said light rail is used not only by job commuters but students, shoppers and spectators at major regional events.

He added work is already underway to extend light rail south to Des Moines, Federal Way and Tacoma.

Display Byline (default)

ericm

04/29/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

http://www.westseattleherald.com/sites/robinsonpapers.com/files/images/wwwhighlinetimescom/2013/04/light-rail.png

Photo credit:

Sound Transit

An architectutural rendering of the new Angle Lake transit station slated to open in 2016.

Planner Chip Davis appointed Burien’s new Community Development director

ericm — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:54:50 +0000

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.

Johnson said Navos will build a “Center for Excellence for children and families” at the Burien site.

A centerpiece will be “Independence Bridge,” which features housing and programs for youth 18-25 transitioning out of foster care. There will be about 25 housing units.

He said the Dykeman campus at Southwest 152nd Street and 10th Avenue Southwest is near transit facilities so the clients can get to jobs.

But the tree-lined campus on Lake Burien will also create a “sanctuary” or “oasis” feel for the youth transitioning into independence.

“It is a delight to work with this campus,” Johnson noted.

Johnson said construction on Independence Bridge would begin this summer. Other construction could begin early next year.

“Burien is one of the best places in the nation to do business,” Johnson declared. “Doing business in Burien is a joy.”

Display Byline (default)

ericm

04/18/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Letter--Whidbey Island slide could happen in Burien

ericm — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:21:29 +0000

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.

Neighbors of Seahurst Park, an all-volunteer citizens group dedicated to protecting Seahurst Park, has filed a Land Use Petition trying to stop Westmark from clearing these 9.62 beautiful forested acres, which if allowed to proceed will set in motion the potential for landslides like the recent catastrophic Whidbey Island slide.

For more information about what you can do visit http://www.seahurstfriends.org/ or email melessarogers@yahoo.com.

Melessa Rogers
Volunteer
Neighbors of Seahurst Park

Do not display Byline

ericm

04/04/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Update: Burien council once again rejects Lake Burien land-use request

ericm — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:06:26 +0000

(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.

Robert and Robbie Howell, Linda Plein and Chestine Edgar said the lake’s water quality has significantly declined due to inadequate storm water management facilities for the area. They said the city has neither the money nor resources to remedy the problem in the next 10 to 15 years.

They pointed to incidents of flooding and showed photos of toxic algae on the lake.

Senior Planner David Johanson said the city had not received an application to add the Lake Burien proposal before the application deadline.

Chestine Edgar did e-mail a request March 1 to place it on the work docket. According to Edgar, it is the right of any citizen to have a valid land use request to be considered for the docket. She said the neighborhood had paid for the research in 2010.

If the council had decided to add the request, the city not the Lake Burien residents would have had to pay to study the matter further. That rankled some lawmakers,

Deputy Mayor Krakowiak moved to add the request to the docket.

Councilmember Bob Edgar said the city had misinterpreted the state Growth Management Act and had not used best available science in deciding not to change the land use map for the Lake Burien neighborhood.

Councilmember Block suggested lake residents could assign development rights to a land conservancy group. Then the lots could not be divided in the future.

Councilmember Robison said the residents could also enact restrictive covenants to protect density.

After the council rejected adding the Lake Burien request to the docket, Edgar moved that the city’s critical area designations be consistently applied throughout the city in Burien’s comprehensive plan and maps.

Councilmember Clark denounced the motion as a back door way to address the proposed map change.

Edgar’s motion failed by a 2-5 vote as Krakowiak voted with Edgar.

Johanson told lawmakers the city had received one application for a zoning change.

Navos Mental Health Solutions applied for a rezone of the Ruth Dykeman Children’s Center from moderate density and single family residential to a special planning area. The facility is at South 152nd Avenue and 10th Avenue Southwest on Lake Burien.

Navos is planning to build a two-story apartment building for clients enrolled in programs at the campus. Other projects are also in the works at the campus. Construction will start this summer.

Navos officials noted the proposed amendment would change the zoning back to what it was in 2009. At that time, Dykeman officials planned to subdivide the property and build three residential lots to raise money.

Since then, Dykeman has merged with Navos. Navos is closing its children’s home in Queen Anne and consolidating programs at Dykeman.

Just before council members considered items for the 2013 docket, they approved the 2012 Comprehensive Plan Amendments, which included changes to north Burien zoning.

Mayor Bennett said passage of the 2012 amendments had been delayed to April 1 from December 2012 in order to hold a council public hearing.

These were the first zoning changes to north Burien since the area was annexed into Burien in 2010.

The rezoning focused on adding higher density to the west side of north Ambaum Boulevard and the Boulevard Park commercial area.

The council had previously changed some staff recommendations to accommodate individual property owners who told lawmakers they were in the process of developing their properties.

The last hurdle was a proposal by Robison to change the requirement that a new development show it would be “a benefit to the community.” Robison’s wanted the standard changed to“ not a net loss to the community.”

Bennett withdrew his previous concerns and Robison’s language was incorporated into the comprehensive plan.

The vote was 5-2 with Krakowiak and Edgar voting against final passage.

Display Byline (default)

ericm

04/04/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce selects new President/CEO

ericm — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:03:16 +0000

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.

Volunteering at non-profits who serve South King County cities has been a big part of Carol’s life. She is a member of the Tukwila Historical Society, and has chaired events for DAWN and Habitat for Humanity. She has taught financial literacy classes for several non-profits in South King County. Giving back to local communities is important to her as a business leader.

She won the DAWN 2012 Hero Award, Southwest King County Chamber 2011 Outstanding Community Service Award and the Seattle Rotary 2007 Service Above Self Award.

Born and raised in Johnstown, PA, Carol has made the Seattle area her home since 1981. She loves to play golf, read and cook. She has had the opportunity to travel to Dubai, Qatar, China, Japan and Mexico City. Carol has two sons that also live in the Northwest, and her fiancée, John, works for Boeing.

Carol says, "I am looking forward to working with the Board of Directors, Chamber staff and our members!"

Do not display Byline

ericm

03/28/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Hyatt Place to be constructed in southeast SeaTac, set for 2016 completion

ericm — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:59:34 +0000

Hotel to be built on scenic Angle Lake waterfront

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.
“This new addition of Hyatt Place is a true testament to our region’s continued growth,” said Todd Cutts, city manager. “We are very excited to see this development come to fruition, and look forward to the positive contribution it will make to our city’s economic growth. We are eager to be working with Ariel Development to make this happen.”

Ariel Development is an innovative real estate group that has developed and owned properties with local partners and investors, through more than 20 real estate partnerships in the region. Their properties include hotels, office and commercial buildings, as well as retail centers. The Hyatt Place will be their first property in the City of SeaTac.

For more information on this and other city of SeaTac construction projects, please visit www.ci.seatac.wa.us.

Do not display Byline

ericm

03/06/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

Update: Burien council votes to change Town Square developers

ericm — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:24:22 +0000

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.

However, with the economic downturn, the city was informed by developers that market conditions would not support such development.

Sales at the first phase were slow but sales personnel say they are picking up. As of February, 36 units have been occupied with another 14 sold and waiting for occupancy. Subway is the only retail outlet at the complex.

However, the managing firm has replaced the long-term marketing firm of Matrix Real Estate and sales director Tracey O’Brien.

The city worked with Harbor Urban to come up with a plan featuring “high-end” apartments for the vacant parcels. Some Burien residents who urged the city to stick to its original vision were critical.

Harbor Urban proposed about 150 rental apartments, a small amount of retail and an art center. Burien arts organizations have been pressing the city to incorporate arts spaces into the downtown core.

Harbor Urban withdrew the proposal after Legacy offered its plan.

Martin told the Seattle Times that Legacy’s plan is similar but lawmakers prefer the way it relates to the rest of Town Square.

City Manager Mike Martin told the Seattle Times that he wouldn’t be surprised if Harbor Urban challenged the council’s decision in court. Martin offered several other options to the City Council on Feb. 25 but lawmakers unanimously chose the switch to Legacy.

The first phase of the Town Square project, the existing condominiums at 6th Avenue Southwest, was completed in 2009 by owner/developer Urban Partners. When Urban Partners purchased the parcels from the city in 2005, the development agreement required the developer to begin the next phase of the project within two years of completing the first phase, or by July 21, 2011. Urban Partners failed to meet this deadline and still has not commenced construction of Town Square’s next phase.

On April 30, 2012, the city notified the owner/developer, which had since merged with Harbor Properties to form Harbor Urban, that it had defaulted on its development agreement with the city. The city issued a formal written notice of its intent to repurchase the remaining undeveloped parcels. That repurchase was to occur within 180 days.

After Harbor Urban told the city that it no longer wanted to build the remainder of the project required by the 2005 agreement, the city and owner/developer entered into a “standstill agreement”, which gave Harbor Urban until March 1 to negotiate with the city an alternate project and amendments to the development agreement for the remaining parcels.

Under the standstill agreement, if the city and Harbor Urban did not agree upon an alternate project, the city could repurchase the parcels or direct Harbor Urban to sell them to another developer.

Harbor Urban and the city failed to agree on a mutually acceptable alternative project prior to the March 1 deadline, prompting the City Council’s action Monday.

Highline Times editor Eric Mathison contributed to this report.

Do not display Byline

ericm

02/27/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

http://www.westseattleherald.com/sites/robinsonpapers.com/files/images/wwwhighlinetimescom/2013/02/marketing-team.jpg

Primary Image, Cropped:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/sites/robinsonpapers.com/files/imagecache/thumb/images/wwwhighlinetimescom/2013/02/marketing-teamcrio.jpg

Photo credit:

Photo by Jerry Gay

Burien Town Square condo sales representatives Tamea Duckworth, left, and Julie Knutson are as perplexed as everyone else by the twists and turns in the Town Square saga. They are standing on one of the vacant parcels.

Discover Burien announces annual leadership award recipients for 2013

ericm — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:10:06 +0000

Name of Robinson Communications winner still top secret

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

About Business Leader of the Year, Scott Schaefer - (from one nominator) “Scott is always ready to say something upbeat about how great Burien is as a community on his sites. His sense of humor is refreshing and is much needed in these times. Perhaps my favorite of his articles were the April Fools stories-spoofs-about what was happening in Burien. I still chuckle about the nude beach on Three Tree Point. Scott is always thinking of still another way to promote business and enterprise in Burien.

About Student Leader of the Year, Sierra Flanagan, Senior, Highline High School - (from one nominator)
“According to Highline High School staff, Sierra is an ASB President like no other, and has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout her entire time at Highline.
Sierra started the Highline High School “Winter Wishes “program this year through which ASB was able to grant over 200 wishes for our students which included ASB cards, warm clothing, sports gear, spirit wear and food gift cards. She organized students to clean the stadium (both visitor and home side) after every football game and the gym after every volleyball and basketball game. Sierra is creating the “Golden Broom” award for an HHS custodian. He will be given the day “off” and students will be doing his job for him such as emptying trash and recycle bins, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning the cafeteria, etc.
Sierra volunteers yearly for VegFest, a healthy vegetarian food festival in Seattle, and monthly for Operation Night Watch (feeding the homeless). As a member of Key Club, she does local community service such as gift wrapping, collecting toys for “Toys for Tots” and volunteers for Relay for Life. She is also an active member of Young Life.
Sierra has been accepted to Willamette University, where she will be playing softball next year. She will be a 4-year varsity softball player at HHS.
According to Lori Box, Highline High School’s Activities Director, Sierra is one of the most dedicated, encouraging, selfless leaders she has seen during her many years at Highline.”

About Discover Burien Volunteer of the Year, Denise Ferguson - Denise has been volunteering with Discover Burien for 10 years. She has done everything from Clean Sweep, Father's Day Car Show, Boo In Burien and the Discover Burien Dinner.

About Team Clean Sweep Recognition of the Year, Alestaire Echavia - Alestaire has been working with Team Clean Sweep for 3 years. His role with Clean Sweep is "Litter." For 10 hours each week Alestaire picks up the litter on SW 152nd Street and Burien Town Square. He has proven himself as a hard worker and a dedicated employee of Discover Burien.

About Non-Profit Leader of the Year, NAVOS – (from the NAVOS website) The Navos Consortium is comprised of more than 20 mental health and social service providers who contract with us to perform administrative services, clinical oversight, and more.
By purchasing our services, members of the consortium are able to dedicate more of their resources to serving people with mental illness. Many members of the consortium serve children and families and, together with Navos, serve more than half the children who receive care in the King County mental health system.
Other members of the consortium offer specialized programs for immigrants and the elderly.

A community favorite The “Robbie” Award, Presented by the Robinson News Team will be revealed the evening of the Awards Dinner and Silent Auction, however it’s recipient is kept top secret.

Tickets for the annual dinner are still available. Please contact Discover Burien at
info@discoverburien.com or Debra George at (206) 941-7199 to reserve your seat. Space is limited.

Do not display Byline

ericm

02/25/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP

SeaTac hires new Community Development director

ericm — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:54:37 +0000

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.

The city’s department of Community and Economic Development is responsible for streamlining the City’s permitting process and helping facilitate and expedite new building and economic development projects. Scorcio will oversee five divisions: economic development; planning; engineering development review; building services; and permit center.

Do not display Byline

ericm

02/21/2013

5 - Front Page - TOP