BURIEN BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

(BEDP)

 

MEETING MINUTES

Date: July 25, 2003

Time:  7:00 – 8:30 AM

 

 

Members Present: Chad Campbell, Lucy Krakowiak, Dean Parkins, Doug Moreland, John Robert, Ryan Warnes, Debra George, Tom Gehl, Bob Ewing, Harvey Aulgur, David Elliott and Kris Jensen

 

Absentees:  Kevin Fitz, Nancy Damon, and Mark Minium

 

Staff:  Gary Long, City Manager, Dick Loman, Ecomonic Development Manager, and Joline Wright, Economic Development Assistant.

 

Guests:  Councilmember Joan McGilton, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle

 

Call to Order:  Meeting opened at 7:00 a.m. by Chair Lucy Krakowiak.

 

Minutes:   Doug Moreland moved to approve the minutes; Chad Campbell seconded the motion.  Motion passed and minutes were approved.

 

Chair’s Report: Lucy Krakowiak reported she has received comments that Burien is starting to look great.  Someone mentioned instead of Discover Burien maybe it should be renamed Discover the New Burien.

 

City Manager Report: - Gary Long

 

Gary Long reported he also has received very good comments for SW 152nd Street.  Still in the process of correcting and finishing up some things.

 

The City Council adopted the CAG (Citizens Advisory Group) for 1st Avenue South and accepted the recommendations.  The main financial concern outstanding will be how the underground utilities will be done.

 

Sylvester/Maplewild – Hope to have in construction by 4th quarter – resolving issues with adjacent property owners.

 

Senator Cantwell is planning a visit to Burien.  The tentative date is August 5.  Senator Cantwell will be discussing economic development and small businesses with business leaders.  She will also be touring some projects.

 

Gary attended the Concert in the Park and said there was a very good turnout.

 

Discover Burien Report – Debra George

 

SW 152nd – Still some things to finish up and correct.

 

Farmers Market – Doing very well, have 80 vendors on waiting list.

 

Worldfest will be held August 15-17 in Gottschalk’s parking lot.

 

Have a tenant, Right Choice Refreshment, moving in The CouldBee Shop and possibly a stain glass artist.

 

Working on Burien Bucks; $5 gift certificates to spend in different locations in Burien.

 

Classic Car Club will be in Gottschalk’s parking lot on August 9.

 

Town Square

 

Dick Loman reported that the Developer Selection Committee met on July 23.  The committee put together questions to be asked of the developers and a letter was sent out to each developer notifying them of the scheduled interview date, which is August 6.   There were three applications received and there will be two interviewed.

 

Proposed SPA-4 Zoning & Design Standards – Scott Greenberg

 

Scott advised the Partnership that in March the City Council adopted the new Comprehensive Plan designation and policies for Special Planning Area 4 (SPA-4) also known now as NERA (Northeast Redevelopment Area). 

 

Scott distributed a draft of the zoning and design standards for SPA-4.  After discussion and answering questions Scott advised the Partnership that he would attend their August 8 meeting and ask for their recommendations to take to the City Council.

 

Discussion of Proposed and Completed Permit Review System Improvements –

Scott Greenberg

 

Scott’s report updated the Partnership on the City’s efforts to improve the permit review process and no action is required.

 

Comments from the Partnership were very positive.  Doug Moreland said he had a positive experience with a critical area permit; took 3-4 weeks, which was the normal time expected.  Ryan Warnes commented the City has made improvements and is doing a good job.  Dean Parkins said attitude is important.

 

The Partnership also acknowledged the Merchants of Burien for their hard work on the permit process.

 

SW 152nd Street Storefront Improvements – Scott Greenberg

 

Scott reported the City will regulate quality and not get into a cookie cutter look.  There are a set of guidelines to follow and there can be an administrative design review for color changes.  A good example of a new storefront improvement is the Vera Cruz Restaurant.  .Merchants with questions or needing advice can come in and talk to David Johanson.

 

Gary advised that there are different cultures and they choose different ways to present their business.  We need to be thoughtful of their culture.

 

John Roberts said he is trying to sell the merchants on coming to the City and talking about storefront improvements.

 

David Elliott noted that the SW 152nd project is still two thirds done.  Until the storefronts are improved it won’t be complete.  He suggested the store owners and property owners be approached with information and work with a committee.  Debra George reported the Economic Development Committee of Discover Burien is working on this along with the Economic Development Department for the City.  Debra will discuss what has been done at the next Partnership meeting.

 

Round the Table:

 

Dick Loman reported the Historical Society has leased the Old Oak Barn building to

Pro-Fitness for 30 months until they collect enough money for their new building to house a new museum.  They have received a $300,000 State grant for the museum.  The TOD is starting to move and King County has put out a Request for Proposal relating to its design of the Transit Hub, Phase I of the project.  The Recovery Center building has come down and will be temporary parking.

 

Doug Moreland reported he and John Roberts would be getting together to work on getting ahead of the diversity involvement in our community.  White Center as an example is ahead of Burien on culture events.

 

Bob Ewing thinks coming down to selecting one developer for Town Square a major step but thought the City missed an opportunity to encourage a design competition like New York has done on the Twin Towers site in lower Manhattan.

 

David Elliott, who is on the Developer Screening Committee, replied that because there are present tenants occupying the site that need to be accommodated.  We are selecting a developer rather than a project proposal.  We, we are not at the point to have determined that where design and construction of Town Square will be by one experienced developer.  We may end up there if it seems seemed the best way to go under those circumstances.

 

Debra George reported that the Seattle magazine article about Burien has created multiple inquiries about Burien as a business location.

 

Gary Long added to Doug Moreland’s comments thatthey we will be having our first Worldfest in August.

 

Dean Parkins asked when the town clock was going up.  Dick Loman advised the foundation is in front of Christian Science Reading.

 

Tom Gehl suggested that Vera Cruz Restaurant be given some public recognition for their new storefront which might be an incentive to other businesses.

 

Next Meeting:  August 8, 2003, 7:00 a.m.

 

Adjourned:  8:30 am.