City to Test for Pollutants at Burien Annex

Testing Results Will Determine Next Steps for Burien Annex
Posted on 01/07/2020
Annex

At last night’s (January 6, 2020) City Council meeting, the Council directed the City Manager to authorize testing for pollutants in the Annex immediately. Arrangements were made last night to initiate this testing process. The specific Council direction was as follows:

City Manager is to authorize testing for pollutants in the Annex immediately. If testing results are within safe limits, the City Manager is directed to immediately enter into lease renewals for all current Annex tenants for terms up to six months. If the test results find that levels of lead, mold, or asbestos are not within safe limits, the City Manager is directed not to take action but to convene an Emergency meeting of the City Council as soon as possible thereafter to discuss options and actions.

The proposed financial support to tenants, the recommendation to keep equipment and material in the outside fenced areas currently used by the Burien Cooperative Preschool for three months, and the arrangements for storage boxes were not approved by Council. This may be revisited once the testing of water, mold, and for asbestos have been completed.

The City is anticipating a 7-10 day turnaround time for the sample collections, analysis, and the report to be completed. The City Manager conveyed the importance of getting this testing and the results back as soon as possible.

The Annex Tenant Support Team will continue to provide support and services, including but not limited to:

  • Site location assistance
  • Application for business financing/grants 
  • Lease review
  • Business plan review
  • Budget planning
  • Moving logistics and planning
  • Referrals to other partners to assist in relocation efforts when needed including but not limited to:
    • Real estate professionals
    • Moving companies
    • Technology installation companies
    • Volunteer coordination

Learn more about the Annex closure.