by Ralph Nichols

After more than two months of anticipation, of driving past Burien Nissan at Five Corners and looking for new cars on display there once again, the news this week is disappointing.

Burien Nissan will not reopen after all – at least not anytime soon. The return of the auto dealership with a new owner – Car Pros – had been expected earlier to take place in mid-September.

“We were excited” about reopening Burien Nissan, Ken Phillips, president of Car Pros, told The B-Town Blog recently. “We had everything in line. Our financing package was all done. But the sellers couldn’t provide quick title to the property and we couldn’t close in time.”

He said the problem involved only closing the proposed sale and “had absolutely nothing to do with the national economy.

“If circumstances change, we would be available to relook at the whole process,” Phillips added. “We lived for 30 years in Normandy Park. All our friends are right there. That’s our home. We know a lot of people there.”

The previous dealership owner, Rainier Automotive Group, saw the entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March after losing its financing. The business closed its doors less than two months later, reportedly when new financing couldn’t be arranged.

Car Pros owns Kia and Suzuki dealerships in Tacoma and a Hyundai dealership in Seattle, and dealerships in Carson, Calif. Phillips said they had planned to sell Nissan models exclusively at Burien Nissan.

The brand spankin’ new Matt Griffin YMCA is holding its grand opening this Saturday, Oct. 3rd from Noon to 5pm at its new location at 3595 South 188th in SeaTac.

The opening will feature free activities, including tours, health and wellness information, class demos, youth and family activities, cooking demonstrations, climbing on the new 28-foot climbing pinnacle and live music.

The facility is named after Matt Griffin, who began his involvement with the YMCA of Greater Seattle in the early 1980s. This is only the third time a local YMCA facility has been named for a community leader. Griffin joined the board in 1983 and has served in numerous leadership roles since. As chair of the board from 1997 – 2000, he oversaw a very successful $17 million capital campaign that redeveloped the historic Downtown Seattle YMCA and added youth development centers in YMCA branches throughout King County. Griffin also co-chaired the million It’s All About Community capital campaign. Conservative estimates indicate that Griffin has directly shepherded more than $55 million in philanthropic contributions for the YMCA– exponentially more than anyone else in our 132 year history.

Additionally, the Matt Griffin YMCA is also one of 11 local YMCAs selected as part of a $750,000 Knight Foundation grant to expand newcomer services. Key areas of focus include language and education, health and well-being, citizenship and civic engagement, job initiatives, and support of inclusive planning to strengthen communities. The new Y will offer more and better services than ever before to ethnic populations in the Sea-Tac and Highline communities.

Saturday’s event is entirely free and open to the public.

The YMCA chose the Matt Griffin location in the SeaTac neighborhood because that community is the fastest growing area in the Puget Sound area, in terms of both poverty and diversity. The new Matt Griffin YMCA will address needs in SeaTac, Highline, Burien, Normandy Park, White Center, Des Moines and other local areas.

Highline Public Schools will be holding a special grand opening celebration for the recently-rebuilt Marvista Elementary School on Thursday, Sept. 24th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

There will be a short program beginning at 5:45pm, with tours and dinner following; all are invited.

Marvista welcomed its 550 students to their new building on the first day of school on Wednesday, Sept. 9th. The main components of the building – classrooms, lunchroom, and common areas – were completed on time and on budget. Finishing touches, such as landscaping and playfields, will be completed in the next few weeks.

“Our students and staff are so excited about the new building,” said Principal Rebekah Kim. “It provides space for great learning opportunities and for our community to gather – with the school as the centerpiece.”

Marvista, located in Normandy Park, is the twelfth new school to be completed in Highline since 2004. The construction projects have been financed by bonds approved by voters in 2002 and 2006. Prior to 2002, no school construction bond had been approved since 1986. During that 16-year period, the district was unable to replace aging buildings.

“We had a long list of old and outdated schools that needed to be replaced,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are grateful that the community saw that need and approved the funding to allow us to build schools that are safer and provide the current technology our students need to compete in today’s world.”

Marvista is located at 19800 Marine View Drive SW in Normandy Park.

Saturday morning ’round 10am will mark the grand opening celebration of Burien’s new Town Square/Library/Transit Center, and if you happen to not be able to attend, you can watch the fun live right here via the streaming video below:

Story and Photos by Janet Grella

Burien’s new King County Library branch held a sneak peek opening Wednesday night (June 3rd) at its shiny digs in the new Burien Town Square complex, and the BTB was there.

Nearly 150 residents, assorted councilmembers, Library Foundation members and, of course, librarians enjoyed wine from Bookwalter Wines of Woodinville, appetizers provided by Tony’s Events & Catering in Seattle along with self-guided tours of the new library.

This two-story facility is a “dream come true” according to Burien Mayor Joan McGilton. Bill Ptacek, Director of KCLS, told the group gathered in the new Burien City Council Chambers across the lobby from the library, that the library is a result of a “proud paternership with the city of Burien and KCLS.”

Sponsors of the event were Puget Sound Energy, Bookwalter Winery, KCLS and the Burien Library Guild.

The new Burien Library’s official grand opening will be on Saturday, June 13th when the City of Burien celebrates its new library, city hall and Town Square beginning at 10am.

And by the way, if you didn’t make it to the event, the new library shares the marble lobby with the city council chambers, has high ceilings, tall and large windows on both first and second floors, with street views on SW 152nd as well as panoramic views of Burien and the surrounding area from the upper floor.

Fresh espresso is “espressed” Monday at Burien Press’s new spot,
and through Tuesday (May 19th) they’re offering free lattes and goodies!

Our friends Erin and Mark at Burien Press (located at 423 SW 152nd Street, across from the new Town Square/City Hal) are having a “soft opening” Monday and Tuesday of this week, where they’re offering FREE lattes and samples of goodies from 8am to 6pm both days.

Here’s their announcement:

Hello!

The Burien Press is opening the doors for some “public training” tomorrow, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19 from 8-6. Our baristas will be seasoning the machine, dialing in the grind,and practicing their latte art–so stop by for a free drink.

The Burien Press is located at 423 SW 152nd Street, in downtown Burien.

Hope to see you!

According to the staff, Burien Press has also activated their free wi-fi, so if you need a place to sit and surf The B-Town Blog and have some free stuff, get over there!

The city of Burien will be making the big move to its new digs this coming weekend, with plans to open its new city hall on Tuesday, May 19th.

This will be the first phase opening of the Burien Town Square project.

City Hall will be closed Monday, May 18th and will then reopen on Tuesday, May 19th.

The new Urban Partners condominium and retail building will welcome its first occupants in late spring. The King County Regional Library and Town Square Park also will be opening around the same time.

The Burien Town Square Grand Opening celebration will be held on Saturday, June 13. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 10 a.m. followed by tours of the City Hall, library and City park. Urban Partners also will be conducting tours of the condominiums. The festivities will include live entertainment and refreshments.

Friday morning, the Seattle Red Cross dedicated a new Disaster Relief Supply Center in Burien with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and here are some photos taken by Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View Slideshow

The event included representatives of the Red Cross, Southwest Suburban Sewer District and the City of Burien.

The timing of this opening seems rather serendipitous considering the recent swine flu news, so all residents should have more confidence that now there’s a local shelter with emergency supplies which can be used for future disasters, with cots, blankets, hygiene kits, and more; as well as provide short term emergency shelter for up to 750 people.

The Disaster Relief Supply Center is located at 510 SW 158th Street, and was created with a generous grant from The Tiffany Circle, a Red Cross Society of Women Leaders.

Friday (May 1st), at 11am, the American Red Cross will dedicate a new Disaster Relief Supply Center in Burien with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 510 SW 158th.

The event will include representatives of the Red Cross, Southwest Suburban Sewer District and the City of Burien, and the center will will store emergency supplies which will pre-positioned for use in future disasters and can be transported to emergency shelters. The cots, blankets, hygiene kits, etc., will provide short term emergency shelter for 750 people.

The Disaster Relief Supply Center will be located at 510 SW 158th Street (map below), and was created with a generous grant from The Tiffany Circle, a Red Cross Society of Women Leaders.

“The Tiffany Circle members are particularly excited to see the completion of this Disaster Relief Supply Center in Burien,” stated Judy Holder, Tiffany Circle Chair for the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties. “We believe in the importance of community disaster preparedness, particularly in areas with vulnerable populations. We are proud to be providing this support.”

“Southwest Suburban Sewer District recognizes the importance of emergency preparedness as individuals and as regional partners. We are excited to provide our support in helping bring this asset to our community and the region,” said Ron Hall, General Manager for the Southwest Suburban Sewer District.

The American Red Cross is the country’s leading disaster relief organization, providing immediate emergency relief to those in need and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. All Red Cross disaster relief is free, funded through the generosity of the American people.

For more information about the Red Cross in King County, call (206) 323-2345 or visit www.seattleredcross.org.

The Burien Arts Association is hosting an opening reception this Friday, Aug. 8th, from 7pm-9pm at the Burien Arts Gallery , located at 421 SW 146th Street (amongst the tall trees of Dottie Harper Park) for their latest exhibits, which will feature:

• “Silver & Oil,” described as “Conceptions of Landscape by Photographer John S. Lewis and Painter Michael Croman”
• Art by Burien Artist Chris Stiles in the Lower Gallery (for more info, see his website here)
• Artists United presents Julia Wight, Nancy Chavez and Linda Ladzik in the Upper Gallery
  

Also coming up Sept. 12th at 6:30pm is a free “Artist Talk” featuring Michael Croman and John S. Lewis.

Vitally active since 1965, the Burien Arts Association works in concert with groups, artists and local municipalities to share the experience of art with the members of our communities. They provide gallery space for artists, a vibrant performing arts series in the summer, and periodic arts based events throughout the year.

More info at their website.

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James Park, Dan Tamburelli and Janel Stoneback of Burien’s Emerald City Smoothie are opening their second store this Friday, at the remodeled Southcenter in Tukwila.

From Janel’s press release:

Please come join us this Friday for the grand opening of Emerald City Smoothie Westfield Southcenter.

James Park, Dan Tamburelli and myself have worked very hard and it has paid off. 

The new store is near completion and opens on FRIDAY JULY 25TH, 2008 to the public. 

The store is beautiful and in a primo location thanks to Tim Webers hard work. 

We are in the brand new entrance, the only store as you walk in on the right side. 

When you look down from the third floor you can see our store shine. 

The mall itself has imported beautiful marble and tile, with lots of gorgeous artwork built into the design of the building. 

Come see us – we will be there all weekend and would love your support!

So get on down there, and if you see Janel, be sure to mention what a great job she did getting dunked at the Olde Burien Street Party:

Great news parents and children – according to Burien Parks Director Michael LaFraniere, the fences are coming down, the light poles are up, and the new “Jacob Ambaum Park” (at 12685 Ambaum, just north of SW 128th on the west side), WILL BE OPEN THIS AFTERNOON!

The official opening of Jacob Ambaum Park will still be Friday, June 13th, but you can now access the park!

So get outside and play!

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