City of Burien

Project Status

In progress. 

Design for the stairway removal is nearly complete and is under State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall 2022. 

Project Overview

The Eagle Landing Park property was acquired in 2002. A commitment for project funding was that no structures would be built that would impact natural sediment delivery to the shoreline, such as bulkheads. Stairs connecting people to the shoreline were constructed in 2005. Starting in late 2014, damage to the stairs was noticed and the stairway was closed to public use due to safety concerns.

In late 2015, lower sections of the stairs were removed because they were falling down the hillside from erosion undercutting. On November 21, 2016, City Council approved as part of the 2017–2018 budget a project to terminate the stairs mid-slope at a platform and remove the lower portion of the stairs.

Since the removal of the lower portion of the stairs, further erosion has occurred. The Burien City Council, engineers, and risk managers recommended removing the full stairway to reduce risks of a massive failure of the structure and potential harm to park users. 

On August 20, 2018, Councilmembers directed staff to proceed with the removal of stairs. In 2019, staff began work with contractors and consultants to evaluate options for dismantling the stairs. In 2020, the City received permission from the granting agency, Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), to remove and not replace the stairs to the beach. In the fall of 2020, Council approved funding for a capital project to remove the stairs.

The site is frequently monitored and evaluated for hillside stability by geotechnical engineers and arborists. The stormwater project completed in 2021 helps improve runoff at this park, but with all steep slopes there are many hydrologic issues, including stormwater, groundwater, and seeps in the hillside, that will contribute to ongoing erosion and potential slides. In this case, beach erosion also contributes to the erosion of the toe of the slope.

There will no longer be an access point to the beach after the stairway removal. However, the City will maintain a trail and viewpoints for the public to use and enjoy.

Project Documents

• City of Burien presentation at public meeting on May 17, 2018
  
• Questions and answers from the public meeting conducted on May 17, 2018

Geotechnical reports about Eagle Landing Park:

• 2018 Eagle Landing Park Stairway Assessment (GeoEngineers)
  
• 2016 Eagle Landing Park Stairway Assessment (GeoEngineers)
  
• Eagle Landing Site Visit, August 14, 2015 (GeoEngineers)
  
• Eagle Landing Landslide Evaluation, January 5, 2015 (GeoEngineers)
  
• Eagle Landing Landslide Evaluation, March 13, 2013 (GeoEngineers)
• Shannon & Wilson Geotechnical Report for MacLeod Reckord on Branson Park, March 2003
• Evaluation of Mass Wasting, Branson property, Burien Washington, March 18, 2002 (Shannon and Wilson)
  
• Design Statement Regarding Branson Park Stairway, November 14, 2003 (Shannon and Wilson)

Updated April 28, 2022