BURIEN BUSINESS and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
(BEDP)
MEETING MINUTES
Date: June 10, 2005
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 AM
Members Present: Dean Parkins, Kevin Fitz, Doug Moreland, Ryan Warnes, Debra George, Tom Gehl, Jim Hughes, Nancy Damon, Bob Ewing, Rick Cosgrave, Barbara Blackshear-Haley, Harvey Aulgur, David Elliott, Mark Minium
Absentees: None
Excused Absentees: None
Staff: Gary Long, City Manager; Dick Loman, Economic Development Manager; and Joline Wright, Economic Development Assistant
Guests: Councilmember Lucy Krakowiak; Tina Bush, Port of Seattle; and Larry Anderson, Northwest Retail Partners
Minutes: Partnership moved to accept with two corrections. Motion was unanimously approved with corrections: Rick Cosgrave’s motion approved with 7 in favor and two abstentions. The second correction was Nancy Damon’s comment during Round the Table should have read “SeaTac wants to retain their businesses as well as finding new ones.”
Chair’s Report: Bob Ewing
On Monday the City Council approved the contracts for the streets and the design of the joint city hall and library. On Monday, June 13 at 5:30 p.m. there will be a special study session to discuss the DDA agreement.
Bob talked to Councilmember Gordon Shaw regarding his comments made earlier that BEDP does not speak for the Burien business community. Councilmember Shaw explained that no 12 people could speak for the broad business community. BEDP needs to continue to listen to the businesses.
Following up on Rick’s request to continue to meet in the Council Chambers, Joline advised there is a cost to have the custodial service setup the room for each meeting. Bob commented that during the Round the Table session he would like the members to give their ideas and the benefits of meeting in the Chambers.
City Manager’s Report: Gary Long
1st Avenue S. – Bids will be going out in late June; contracts will be awarded in July. 1st Avenue S should be under construction by September 1. Last week found out the city had another $550,000 in the state budget. If not used for 1st Avenue, Phase I will possibly use it for another phase north of 146th.
Town Square – Three contracts were presented to the City Council on Monday the 6th, one, the DDA Agreement, remains to be approved by Council. The design work on City Hall/Library was approved and the design work on the streets. Mayor Gibb and Gary were in Washington D.C. last week working on street funding. Council is still discussing some issues in the DDA Agreement. On the retail; the developer’s position is to wait until they have a firm agreement on the land, which will not be until late November.
Port of Seattle is starting neighborhood meetings in June discussing the planned buyout of property. The City Council is considering engaging a real estate consultant to see if they can help with giving people added resources.
Old Burien – Trying to work out parking issues. Gary will give the Partnership the parking study as it progresses. The City Council adopted Ordinance 435 as an emergency ordinance to extend the downtown design guidelines to Old Burien for a temporary fix.
Q: David Elliott – Is it possible to have delivery trucks park in the alleys instead of the street?
Q: Doug Moreland – The street and construction design agreements have been approved, what happens if the city doesn’t reach an agreement on the DDA? A: Gary – There is a 30 day notice of cancellation in the other two agreements.
Economic Development Strategy Discussion – Larry Anderson, Principal, Northwest Retail Partners
Doug Moreland gave the Partnership a quick update on the economic development strategy. With the PSESD move and the loss of jobs, and the concern of the changing focus on downtown the Partnership is inviting people experienced in residential and commercial real estate. Larry Hoff, a commercial realtor for Coldwell Banker, attended the May 13 meeting. He gave a very positive report on Burien and sees the changes as a good thing. He advised that adding residential properties is a good way to go and he commended the city for going in this direction. Blair Howe, Consultant for GVA Kidder Mathews, attended the May 27th meeting. GVA is involved in the NEST study development and how to bring development around the airport. He also was very positive on residential development in downtown Burien.
Dick Loman introduced Larry Anderson, co-owner of Northwest Retail Partners. Larry specializes in retail leasing and finding places for large retail companies. He said Burien is moving in a good direction and thought Town Square will be a good thing for Burien. Several years ago, Larry worked with the city in trying to bring in Home Depot at 160th and 1st. This did not happen because as it turned out the footprint that Home Depot needed did not work at this property. Northwest Retail Partners representation is 80% tenant and 20% landlord. Some of the companies they represent currently are Costco, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Old Navy, Hollywood video and LA Fitness to name a few.
Q: Mark Minium – What do you think the land value is now with a creek running through? A: Larry – Property still has value. It did not fit Home Depot’s national footprint. Q: Bob Ewing – When you describe Burien to your clients what do you say? A: Larry – Some of the larger stores are already in Southcenter and Burien is located in a good market for smaller retailers. Q: Tom Gehl – How much of Burien’s negativity played in the Home Depot decision? A: Larry – Not much; didn’t get negative press and the community was supportive. Q: Dick Loman – What could the City have done to make this happen? A: Larry – One of our environmental consultants was one of the problems. David Johanson was great to work with and it would have worked if the property didn’t have a creek in the middle of it. Q: Ryan Warnes – Was the main problem at the State environmental level? A: Larry – Yes. Gary Long commented that the City’s critical area regulations are the least restricted possible and are very flexible.
Larry was asked the plus and minus of Burien’s retail standpoint.
The minus is Burien is in the big shadow of Southcenter. Large retailers want to be in areas like Southcenter so Burien is not competitive for many of the large retailers.
The plus is Burien is addressing a Town Square and the city is changing. One thing that is huge is housing density / people density. Retail follows people. Burien is a good middle market and has a convenient location.
Q: Dick Loman – If you have limited land and resources what would you go for?
A: Larry – Residents; keep residents coming here as much as possible. Q: Mark Minium – what is the level of residential? A: Larry distributed a summary demographic profile on Bellevue, Lynnwood and Burien. Burien’s demographics stacked up very well with Alderwood Mall.
Larry also commented that parking is very important along with physical attraction; green space, signage, curb appeal, etc. He noticed the improvements on SW 152nd Street.
Q: Kevin Fitz – Do you think 50,000 sq. ft. big box would work in Town Square?.
A: Larry – Again, Southcenter is too close. Q: Doug Moreland – Should we require developer to set a certain amount of retail? A: Larry – Would defer this to the developer. Urban Partners is experienced in this field and market conditions will determine type and amount of retail.
Larry thought Burien’s Town Square will probably be more of a lifestyle center such as University Village, which is a perfect example.
Q: Tom Gehl – Asked Gary what is the cost of sq. footage for retail? Don’t think we need to compete with Southcenter; need nationally known stores i.e. Coldwater Creek, Restoration Hardware, etc. A: Dick Loman answered mid 20’s to upper 20’s.
Bob Ewing asked Gary if this was the time for BEDP to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the retail and residential mix. Gary suggested waiting to see when the DDA agreement is approved and what the mix will be on Parcel 1. By September 15 retail research and residential study will be done. Gary will pass on to Council that BEDP wants to work with the developer on the retail mix.
Harvey Aulgur – Southcenter can’t seem to keep retailers very long. Doesn’t seem to be pulling in shoppers; mostly teenagers in groups hanging out. Underground parking needs to have plenty of light for people to feel safe.
Discover Burien Report – Debra George
Future Agendas –Partnership
July 8 – BEDP meeting – 7:00 AM City Manager’s Conference Room
July 22 – BEDP meeting – 7:00 AM City Manager’s Conference Room
Round the Table:
Barbara Blackshear-Haley – On Wednesday at White Center Heights they will be holding a retirement celebration for Joe McGeehan.
Nancy Damon – Toured the new Cancer Facility; a very nice facility. Southcenter has good shopping.
Dean Parkins – Larry Anderson gave some excellent ideas.
Kevin Fitz – Need to continue to get these types of people to attend BEDP meetings. It was very enlightening to listen to Larry Anderson.
Rick Cosgrave – The Burien Arts Gallery is displaying a collection of Josef Scaylea’s award winning photography. This is my wife Michele's father, the late Josef Scaylea, Chief Photographer - Seattle Times for 35 years.
Gary Long – Will look at the present draft of the DDA agreement to see what the language states to involvement by the business community
Dick Loman – Next guest will be Tom Sroufe of Wesbild Shopping Centers.
Adjourned: 8:30 am.
Next Meeting: June 24, 2005, 7:00 a.m.