On Monday (March 1st) we received an email from Janel Stoneback, announcing that her Emerald City Smoothie store located at the Normandy Park Towne Center had shut its doors.
This store, located at 19803 First Ave South, may have been affected by a number of elements, including recent ongoing construction on First Ave South, the economic recession, as well as a relatively troubled location where other businesses have also faltered.
According to the Normandy Park city newsletter, this ECS location opened in August of 2008.
Far as we know, Janel’s two other ECS locations – near the Burien Safeway and at Westfield Southcenter, are still open for business.
While we don’t have the exact details yet (we’re hoping to get more info from Janel soon, which we’ll publish as soon as we receive it), according to Janel’s Facebook Page:
To all my Excellent very supportive customers, friends and business associates, it is with great disappointment we have had to make a decision to close Normandy Park Emerald City Smoothie.
Emerald City Smoothie's Normandy Park location now sits empty.
The inside of the store has been completely cleared out and is ready for the next tenant.
Menus are still visible at ECS's drive-thru window, but don't wait too long for that boost...
In a down economy, it’s always reassuring to hear of successful fundraising efforts, and the Greater Seattle YMCA has some great news – their recent $40 million capital campaign has not only hit its goal, but has exceeded it by over $800,000.
Here’s more info from their press release:
The YMCA’s historic $40 million capital campaign has successfully concluded with a total of $40.86 million in contributions. This includes prestigious challenge grants of $950,000 from The Kresge Foundation for facility construction and $1.25 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to grow the YMCA’s endowment for camp scholarships. The campaign’s success is a remarkable achievement in the current economic environment.
The campaign has enabled:
- Construction of three new YMCA facilities in some of the fastest-growing parts of King County
- Remodeling and expansion of the Central District’s Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA
- Enhancements to the YMCA’s two overnight camps, Camp Orkila and Camp Colman
- Financial aid for 1,300 low-income youth annually to take part in overnight camping and outdoor environmental education programs
According to volunteer Campaign Chair Matt Griffin, “The impact of our investment in three new YMCAs, improvements to existing facilities, and an increased endowment will strengthen our entire community for generations to come.”
Already the three new YMCA facilities – Dale Turner Family YMCA in Shoreline, Matt Griffin YMCA in SeaTac, and Coal Creek Family YMCA in Newcastle – have attracted more than 18,000 new members, many of whom have not previously had access to the range of classes, programs and services the YMCA provides. These include youth enrichment and leadership programs, health and well-being activities, on-site child care, aquatics, gymnasiums, community kitchens, nutrition programs and public meeting spaces. In addition, the new facilities are creating programs specifically geared to the ethnic communities in their neighborhoods and hiring staff who speak the languages of those communities.
Approximately 150 volunteers and 900 contributors took part in the capital campaign. YMCA President and CEO Robert B. Gilbertson, Jr. credits them with its success. “Our YMCA volunteer leaders and the hundreds of individuals and organizations they engaged as contributors are deeply committed to helping youth and families lead healthy, successful lives and building strong communities. That’s what this campaign was intended to do and the results have exceeded our expectations.”
About the YMCA of Greater Seattle:
The YMCA of Greater Seattle is a charitable, non-profit organization serving King and south Snohomish counties since 1876. Reaching more than 160,000 people annually through 12 branches, two overnight camps and more than 200 program sites, the YMCA provides a wide range of programs and services in child care, youth development, education, foster care, family support, wellness and outdoor experiences. More information may be found at seattleymca.org.
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.
by A proposed 8.8 percent rate increase by Seattle City Light, which would begin in January, “will affect most of our residents,” Burien City Manager Mike Martin said last week.
City Light provides electrical service to almost all of Burien and all of the North Highline area. The Seattle City Council will vote on whether to accept or amend the rate increase request later this month.
Included in City Light’s rate analysis supporting the proposed increase are additional increases of 5.4 percent in 2011 and 6.6 percent in 2012.
Because City Light is a publicly owned utility, it is not regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. Oversight comes instead from the Seattle City Council.
Martin said Burien has asked City Light for clarification about the need for a rate hike at this time, “since it will affect so many of our residents,” but has not yet received a reply.
Outgoing Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels called for the increase when he submitted in September his proposed 2010 budget.
In a report to the Burien City Council, Martin noted that reasons given for a higher power rate when Nickels announced his budget proposal were the poor economy, a sharp decline in sales of surplus power and a larger-than-proposed rate decrease in 2007.
Surplus power sales have been driven down by low natural-gas prices, according to Seattle budget director Dwight Dively. While Seattle’s 2009 budget anticipated surplus power sales of $140 million, only about half that amount has been sold – leaving City Light with a $70 million shortfall.
Martin added that City Light also says the increase is needed to maintain its net operating income reserve, although “there is no legal reserve requirement” for that reserve as structured by the utility.
Citing City Light’s reference to cash flow, Martin replied, “The economy is also hurting our residents’ cash flow.”
In a statement to The B-Town Blog, he said, “At this time, it’s still not entirely clear what’s going on.” Burien staff will seek more information from City Light within the next couple of weeks.
To The Editor of the B-town Blog:
On October 29, 2009; The Seattle Times ran a story on the $25 Burien Vehicle Tax/Proposition 1 that is currently on the November ballot. When the reporter asked why a vehicle tax was being used, the mayor of Burien (McGilton) said that “A property tax wasn’t considered out of respect for Burien’s relatively conservative voters, less affluent than in levy happy Seattle”. However, eight days prior to that story, McGilton and the city had done the opposite and sent a news release to the local newspapers and the B-town Blog announcing a Public Hearing on Nov. 9th to solicit public comments on a proposed, increased property tax (of up to 1%) for Burien. Before voting on Tuesday, November 3rd, every citizen in Burien should question what the heck is really going on.
When I attended the July City of Burien Council Meeting/Public Hearing on the $25 Burien Vehicle Tax/Proposition 1 (for sidewalks and bike paths), I didn’t plan on writing the statement against the $25 Burien Vehicle Tax/Proposition 1. However when no information was presented to the public about: the project costs, the amount to be collected from this tax, what other grants/sources could help with the projects, how much these project streets were actually used, I was frustrated. There were no sketches/diagrams of what the finished work might look like. The City quoted statistics from a 2008 Burien Citizen Survey that were inaccurate.
Citizens asked questions. The City didn’t answer. After the Public Hearing, the Council immediately voted to put the Vehicle Tax on the November ballot. In depressed economic times, the City was asking citizens to rubber stamp a new tax.
The City stated at the Hearing the tax will last two years. That is not true. Under the rules for Transportation Benefit Districts, the tax remains in place until the project is completed and paid for. The City does not have the authority to promise otherwise.
The City had not surveyed the use patterns of the project areas. Both 8th Ave and South 136th have light use by both pedestrians and bikes. Only 13% of the respondents to the 2008 Burien Citizen Survey who live in these areas thought there was a need to improve sidewalks and bike paths.
Some of the endorsers/supporters of the tax can’t answer basic questions about the tax. Many of the endorsers do not live in Burien and will not be paying the tax. The campaign signs are being funded by a legislator from Vashon Island and her aide. In the Seattle Times article, McGilton referred to this vehicle tax as a “good test case”. So, what’s up?
Joe Fitzgibbons suggested on the Transportation Choices Coalition website that this is a trial balloon to see if Burien can get residents to vote for this type of a tax. Other cities in the state are watching to see if they can use the same strategy to get new taxes from their residents. I’m not happy to be part of this trial balloon experiment. What am I being tested for? Is it to see if the City of Burien can get a $25 Vehicle Tax and then impose a property tax increase as well on its citizens?
Burien is one of the highest taxed cities in King County. I strongly urge the citizens of Burien to vote “NO” against Proposition 1/$25 Burien Vehicle Tax or other new taxes until Burien improves how it presents the need for new taxes to its citizens.
- Chestine Edgar
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review (for libel, etc.), we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]
UPDATE 10/21/09: We have added one new business (Bratz, a German cafe) and one re-opening (Skippers) to this story, which we hope will continue to develop…
It may not be a boom. But even as the recession continues to buffet Highline communities, businesses are discovering – and returning to – Burien.
“We have a trickle of new businesses coming in here,” Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman told The B-Town Blog recently. “We’re gradually filling up our vacant (commercial) spaces, and it’s happening in the worst economic climate in decades.
“You’d think it would be very quiet, but it’s not,” he said. “It’s very amazing and we’re very fortunate to have this happening.”
NEW BUSINESSES:
- Grand Central Bakery, with popular stores in Pioneer Square and on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle, has announced plans to expand its business by moving into the vacant retail space at 626 SW 152nd St., next to Sylvan Learning Center.
Bratz, a German food store, should open on 6th SW before the end of November.
- And Redfish Grill, already doing a successful business in Tacoma, is going to open a second dining spot in the building recently occupied by The Keg on SW 148th St. at the entrance to the Safeway shopping center.
- Bratz, a German-style fast food cafe, has its signage in place in a spot on 6th SW, just across the street from Sal’s Deli. We spoke with co-owner Robert Lang, who says that the store should open in “two to four weeks” and foodwise to expect “German beer, the world’s best sausages, schnitzels, red cabbage, pretzels, potato salad and more.” Robert and his brother John are both from Germany, and they have one other location in Seattle’s U-District.
BUSINESS RE-OPENINGS:
- Remaining in Burien, after closing its doors when displaced by the third-runway flight path north of Sea-Tac International Airport, is Filiberto’s Cucina Italiana. This popular Italian restaurant, long a local favorite, is moving downtown and will reopen at 653 SW. 152nd St (next to Key Bank).
- Already back in business with new owners is Wizards Casino at 15739 Ambaum Blvd. SW, next to the Hi-Line Lanes bowling alley. The return of Wizards was especially good news for the city – it’s one of Burien’s 10 largest employers.
- Skipper’s Seafood & Chowder, located at the corner of Ambaum Blvd. and SW 148th, has also re-opened.
- In the meantime, Car Pros of Tacoma continues to indicate it will reopen Burien Nissan at Five Corners as soon as their business plan is finalized and approved.
Why this interest? “It starts with the availability of property … on a reasonable-cost basis,” according to Loman, together with marketing studies that indicate these businesses will do well.
Burien has “a reputation of being friendly and a cool place to be … these are destination-type businesses that draw from a much larger area than just Burien. It’s location, location, location.”
As these businesses locate or relocate in Burien, another is expressing interest in coming here – and being the anchor of the phase two development in Town Square.
The Galaxy Theatre in Gig Harbor.
- Loman identified the company that wants to develop a 10-screen cinema complex in Town Square as Galaxy Theaters, headquartered in Los Angeles.
- Galaxy Theatres runs 10 different “first-run” movie complexes in four states, including three in Washington – Monroe, Tacoma and Gig Harbor.
- Here’s a blurb from their website:
Galaxy Theatres, LLC is a fully integrated movie theatre company.
Privately owned, it is ranked by size in the top 10% of its industry, according to the National Theatre Association and currently has theatres in California, Nevada, Texas and Washington.
Formed in 1998, its focus is to develop and operate a portfolio of high impact, state-of-the-art movie entertainment theatres in selected markets of the western United States.
Galaxy Theatres’ award winning business philosophy of “More than just a Theatre” incorporates the best in movie entertainment with the Company’s philosophy of active community service.
“Being socially entrepreneurial builds strong bonds and goodwill in the communities we serve”, according to Frank Rimkus, the Company’s CEO.
- Representatives of both Galaxy and Urban Partners, the private developer of Town Square, will appear before the Burien City Council at the Nov. 2 meeting to discuss their proposal.
Here at The B-Town Blog, our mission is not only to serve our community with the most up-to-date, relevant local news, events and more – it’s also to serve our Readers with resources that they might find useful.
To wit: today (Tuesday, Oct. 13th) we launched our new Jobs Page, where you’ll find continually-updated listings of the latest Burien-area jobs, as well as relevant stories, resources and more items as we find them.
As of launch, we have 14 different job “feeds” from various sources like Craigslist, Monster, HotJobs and other “big ones” as well as some more obscure ones like DevBistro.com and JuJu.com. Our goal is to list as many local/area job listings as possible, so if you know of one that we’re missing, please email us (just keep in mind that it must have an RSS/XML feed for us to use it).
To access this new feature, either click on “Jobs” in the top menu, or click here!
Thanks, and good luck in your search!
by Burien City Council members are expected to declare tonight (Oct. 5) their opposition to Initiative 1033 – Tim Eyman’s latest attempt to reign in government spending revenue.
At last Monday’s (Sept. 28) council meeting, the lawmakers agreed to place the ordinance against I-1033 on tonight’s agenda. Only Councilman Gordon Shaw demurred.
If approved by voters statewide, the proposition, which will appear on November’s general election ballot, would require state, county and city governments to limit their general fund revenues to the amount resulting from inflation, based on a federal economic indicator, and population growth. Any revenue exceeding that formula would have to be used to reduce property taxes.
City Finance Director Tabatha Miller has told council members that restrictions imposed by I-1033 would be “problematic for Burien” because “it does not take into account commercial growth like that envisioned in the Northeast Development Area…. In essence, any commercial growth in the NERA or elsewhere which increased the City’s revenues could not be used to provide the supporting city services, but instead would decrease the next year’s property taxes.”
Miller added that this would force “state and local governments to provide a benefit only to property owners rather than spending general fund revenues on services to benefit the entire community. Services such as education, economic development, transportation, parks, and public safety that have been adversely affected in recent revenue shortfalls are at risk of never recovering under I-1033.
Councilwoman Rose Clark suggested the proposition would but the city “in permanent recession mode,” while Councilwoman Kathy Keene said, “This is absolutely draconian. It’s just awful.”
Shaw countered that I-1033 “would make government take a good, hard look at what it is doing. If I-1033 had been on the books, then I think we would have looked at some of the things we’ve done recently differently.”
But Mayor Joan McGilton voiced concern that its effect “could mean further decreases in police and court services. This is very concerning to me.”
Council members also unanimously adopted a final statement of the city’s key legislative policies for 2010.
These include encouraging economic development, especially in the Northeast area; seeking funding assistance for transportation improvements and other infrastructure needs; opposition to unfunded legislative mandates on local government; seeking funding for local salmon habitat; strengthening local public safety, including emergency preparedness; monitoring legislation relating to annexation of North Highline; and seeking assistance to maintain the city’s parks and recreation system.
In other action, lawmakers unanimously adopted an ordinance amending the fee schedule for filling public records requests and adding a five-day response to these requests.
4Culture, the cultural development agency serving King County, recently announced federal stimulus funding awards totaling $250,000 to preserve jobs at 40 arts and cultural organizations throughout the region, including both a $7,500 grant to Burien’s Hi-Liners and $2,500 to the city.
The federal funds will help organizations extend or restore threatened salaried and contract jobs, ranging from executive directors and curators, to marketing managers, to actors and artists.
“The recession has deeply impacted non-profit cultural organizations of all sizes and disciplines,” said Jim Kelly, Executive Director of 4Culture, “However, the applications we reviewed demonstrate that arts managers are resilient, creative, and determined to continue programs in the service of their missions.” 4Culture will distribute the federal funds throughout the County to a diverse range of organizations and communities including:
| Auburn Symphony Orchestra | Auburn | $10,000 |
| City of Auburn Arts Commission | Auburn | $5,000 |
| Bellevue Arts Museum | Bellevue | $10,000 |
| City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services | Bellevue | $3,000 |
| Music Works Northwest | Bellevue | $4,000 |
| Attic Theatre, The | Bothell | $5,000 |
| Northshore Performing Arts Center | Bothell | $5,000 |
| City of Burien | Burien | $2,500 |
| Hi-Liners, The | Burien | $7,500 |
| City of Des Moines Arts Commission | Des Moines | $7,500 |
| Duvall Cultural Commission | Duvall | $6,500 |
| Fall City Arts | Fall City | $5,000 |
| Centerstage Theatre | Federal Way | $7,500 |
| Federal Way Symphony | Federal Way | $6,500 |
| City of Kent | Kent | $6,500 |
| City of Kirkland Cultural Council | Kirkland | $6,500 |
| Kirkland Arts Center | Kirkland | $7,500 |
| Kirkland Performance Center | Kirkland | $5,000 |
| Studio East | Kirkland | $8,500 |
| SecondStory Repertory | Redmond | $7,500 |
| Evergreen City Ballet | Renton | $5,000 |
| Arcade (NW Architectural League) | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences | Seattle | $3,500 |
| Degenerate Art Ensemble | Seattle | $3,000 |
| Early Music Guild | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Giant Magnet (formerly Seattle Int. Children’s Festival) | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Langston Hughes PAC | Seattle | $5,000 |
| Northwest Film Forum | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Seattle International Film Festival | Seattle | $5,000 |
| Seattle Music Partners | Seattle | $5,000 |
| Seattle Public Theatre | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Seattle Scenic Studios | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Suyama Space (Space.City) | Seattle | $3,000 |
| Theatre Puget Sound | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Town Hall | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Washington Lawyers for the Arts | Seattle | $7,500 |
| Choir of the Sound | Shoreline | $5,000 |
| Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council | Shoreline | $6,500 |
| Vashon Allied Arts | Vashon | $7,500 |
| ArtsWest | West Seattle | $7,500 |
Earlier this year, 4Culture applied for and received the maximum award of $250,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to re-grant to King County arts and cultural organizations to support art jobs. The NEA had $50 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to distribute nationwide.
Cumulatively, over $1.2 Million dollars will help preserve jobs at nearly 100 organizations statewide through the NEA appropriations. The Washington State Arts Commission received ARRA funds to distribute state-wide, and over the summer announced awards totaling $285,000 to 24 arts organizations, including six in Seattle. In early September, the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs (SOACA) announced another $250,000 in ARRA funds to 22 Seattle-based arts organizations. SOACA and 4Culture were two of only sixteen local arts agencies nation-wide that received ARRA funds to sub-grant to constituents. The NEA also awarded grants totaling $450,000 directly to 12 Seattle arts organizations.
An arts organization can only receive ARRA-appropriated NEA jobs funding from one source. With all three regional public funding entities receiving ARRA dollars, WSAC, 4Culture and SOACA devised an application process that would ensure that arts organizations wouldn’t have to submit multiple applications if they were eligible to apply to more than one agency. 4Culture was the final agency to undergo a panel process, and received 99 applications from organizations throughout King County. Proposals were evaluated on the significance of the position(s) to the mission and core services of the organization, the potential of the position(s) to have an immediate impact, and the organization’s ability to manage the funds.
According to their website:
4Culture is a unique integration of the arts, heritage, preservation and public art; committed to advancing community through culture. Public exhibitions and performances, public art, preservation of significant sites and interpretation of local history deepen our connections to the places in which we live and work. 4Culture stimulates cultural activity and enhances the assets that distinguish a community as vibrant, unique and authentic.
| Sep ’09 |
| 24 |
| 5:00 pm |
BTB Advertiser BECU is holding a free seminar called “Surviving in Today’s Economy” on Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm at the Woodmont Library in Des Moines.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Free “Surviving in Today’s Economy” seminar
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24th from 5pm to 6:30pm
WHERE: Woodmont Library, 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines, WA
COST: NO COST. NO OBLIGATION. REGISTER TODAY.
INFO: Space is limited – call 206-439-5910, visit www.becu.org or stop by any BECU Neighborhood Financial Center to register.
Sponsored by BECU Neighborhood Financial Center, whose free seminars are led by experienced financial educators.
A new burger joint may be opening soon in Olde Burien – “B-Town Burgers & Shakes” is apparently taking over the space at 822 SW 152nd Street, next to Goodie Gumdrops, on the corner of Ambaum and SW 152nd where “Flat Majic Books & Gifts” was previously located:
According to their website, they’re slated to open in mid-November:
B-Town Burgers & Shakes
www.btownburgers.comAt B-Town Burgers, we believe fast food should be made from scratch. We start with 100% beef which is never frozen. Every burger is made to order. At B-Town Burgers there are no heat lamps or microwaves. Your french fries are cooked from fresh potatoes and are peeled and diced in the store. At B-Town Burgers we only use the highest quality, freshest ingredients to make the world’s most delicious burgers and fries. B-Town Burger — always fresh, always delicious.
“Delighting Customers with Burgers, Fries and Shakes”
Opening in November 2009
No word yet on whether you’ll be able to get free Tarot Card readings when you order a “Happy Psychic Meal,” but we wonder:
- Could this be another good sign for Burien’s economy?
- Could it also be a good sign for use of the nickname “B-Town”?
- Would you like fries with that?
| Sep ’09 |
| 11 |
On Wednesday, Sept. 9th our sister site The White Center Blog first reported how Burien-based community-service group ACORN is trying to help save resident Maria Morales’ home from foreclosure by staging a phone call bank today (Fri. Sept. 11th) starting at 3pm at their headquarters at 134 SW 153rd St. Suite D.
According to ACORN Head Organizer/Director Alex King, if you’d like to help, you can either just show up at their offices at 3pm, or you can help try and save Maria’s house from the comfort of your own office or home – RIGHT NOW (until 4pm):
1. Call Sen. Margarita Prentice at (360) 786-7616, and ask her to pass mandatory mortgage mediation and to help save Maria’s home.
2. Call Litton at (713) 218-4592 and when asked provide the following information:
Loan #: 0014555239
Name: Maria Morales
“My name is _______and I am calling in support of ACORN member Maria Morales asking you to NOT sell her house and to modify her mortgage NOW.”
[Wait for their response]
“We will continue to call and do actions until Maria’s loan is modified and you start modifying all the other modifications you have. Thank you.”
3. Show up at ACORN’s offices (134 SW 153rd St. Suite D) at 3pm today and volunteer to make some calls right then and there.
We’ll be at the ACORN offices later today, and will post photos and an update later, so stay tuned and let’s see if we can garner up some serious people power to help our neighbor!
by Borrowing a phrase from Mark Twain, reports of the demise of Burien’s Town Square condominiums, which opened for occupancy in June, are vastly exaggerated.
So declares Dan Rosenfeld, principal of Urban Partners, developer of the privately owned condo and retail complex in Town Square at the corner of SW 152nd Street and Sixth Ave SW.
“We are holding on,” Rosenfeld said this week, responding to a rumor that Urban Partners is barely hanging on. “We are very proud of the quality of our project and the effect that it’s having on the revitalization of downtown Burien.”
Together with the public part of the Town Square project, he added, which includes the new King County Library/City Hall building and a downtown park.
“We couldn’t have built a better project,” Rosenfeld continued. “We did this in a very challenging market. We are working buyer by buyer on closing sales. We are making progress. In the long run, I think we will be very successful.”
Un-leased retail spaces sit empty at Town Square.
The Town Square complex includes a mix of one- and two-bedroom condos, two-story Homes on the Park, and live/work lofts. There is 20,000 square feet of ground-level retail space in addition to 122 condos.
None of the retail space has been leased to date. And, said Burien economic development manager Dick Loman, five of the condos have been sold and closed to date, according to the most recent number provided him.
“They’re selling slow for reasons we all understand,” Loman said. “No development company is making money today but they have the resources to hang on.”
Rosenfeld underscored Loman’s assessment, stating that Urban Partners plans “to stay the course … literally 20 potential buyers are having trouble selling their (existing) homes. Everything’s difficult. That is not a reflection on what we have (at Town Square). Quite the contrary. We’ve received many compliments on the project.”
Underwriting standards have been tightened as lending markets adjust to new criteria, he noted. Urban Partners is “fine tuning our lending program and our marketing activities in response to changing circumstances in the capital markets. We are constantly trying to find ways to do it better.”
Burien City Councilman Gordon Shaw quashed another rumor, which suggested Urban Partners was considering renting some of the condos as apartments. The developer is prevented from doing that in their agreement with the city, which states they must be “for sale” units, he said.
With only five condos sold, and all retails spaces still "for lease," it's no surprise that rumors have started.
But, Shaw said, “It’s concerning to me that more of the residences have not been sold and closed. I’m also distressed about no retail leases … I just don’t know how (Urban Partners) can weather this storm.”
As a councilman, he continued, “I’m just sitting here holding my breath. Urban Partners is telling us nothing about their financial condition.”
For his part, Rosenfeld says they still hope to build the other two condo/retail complexes long-planned for Town Square, “but we have to sell the first phase first. The mortgage markets are challenging, the appraisal markets are challenging. The good news is, there are real signs that a turnaround in housing markets is beginning to appear. Things are edging upwards.”
So…what do YOU think will happen to Burien’s shiny new Town Square? Please take our poll, or leave a Comment below…
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We got an email tip from BTB Reader Jennifer about a Job Ad posted Monday (Aug. 31st) on Craigslist that implies that the closed/empty Burien Nissan may be re-opening in mid-September under new management from CarPros, which appears to own several dealerships in Tacoma, Seattle and Carson, CA.
Here’s the Ad:
Re-Opening Auburn & Burien Nissan (Auburn & Burien)
Date: 2009-08-31, 3:07PM PDT
Reply to: jobs@carpros.com
Automotive Parts or Service experience? Opportunity knocks!!!Nissan Dealerships are gearing up for mid September opening, we are seeking qualified applicants for all Dealership positions.Bring your Parts or Service experience and join an award winning Puget Sound Automotive Dealer Group.
We set the standard for professionally managed Parts & Service, our environment encourages personal and professional growth and includes rewarding pay plans with superior benefits.E mail jobs@carpros.com
Fax (563) 405-8144, experienced professionals feel free to direct dial Bradley Wolf @ (253) 222-4836Applicants must be 18 years of age, possess a valid drivers license and be drug free. Car Pros is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Burien Nissan (their former website is still down and no new one could be found), located in a shiny lot at 16042 First Ave South, closed for business in May under ownership of the Rainier Automotive Group, which lost “flooring” (aka financing) and had their entire inventory reclaimed by Nissan in a 24-hour period in March.
Since then, the lot has stood empty, like a recently-remodeled $5 million, modern ghost town car lot in Burien.
We’re investigating this developing story further, and will have more in-depth coverage soon, so be sure to check back often, or subscribe to our free RSS Feed or receive updates via email.
- BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan Is Now Officially Closed
- Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
- UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
- Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot
According to both KIRO-TV and Northwest Cable News, dozens of job-seekers camped overnight Tuesday night outside the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department building on 8th Ave SW in hopes of being one of 250 applicants for a full-time job.
According to BFD’s website:
Applications are now available for download from the Burien Fire web site. Applications will be accepted at Headquarters Station beginning August 19, 2009 at 9:00 AM PST until 3:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday until the first 250 have been received or September 3, 2009 at 3:00 PM PST whichever comes first.
A full list of requirements, minimum qualifications, application procedures, and an information sheet on the written test, physical test, and oral boards is provided to you via the link below. Please read this document in its entirety. You must have Adobe Acrobat to view the document.
2009 Application Information Sheet
2009 Application for Employment
The link below is the 2009 application for employment. It is a PDF document and Adobe Acrobat will be needed to view the file. Please read the Application Information Sheet prior to turning the application in.
Questions about the application and employment process, exams, test dates, or other related information should be directed to the receptionist at (206) 242-2040 during normal business hours only.
BFD started accepting job applications at 9am Wednesday morning, and will continue to accept them Mon.-Fri. from 9am to 3pm until 250 have been received or until Sept. 3rd, whichever comes first.
Potential firefighters will have to pass a written test, physical test and an oral board to get hired.
For more information, visit the department’s website or call (206) 242-2040.
| Aug ’09 |
| 15 |
| 12:00 pm |
Household finances got you down?
Feeling the pinch during this economy?
Well, the good folks at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church are holding a Free Resource Fair and Block Party, where they will be giving out advice, resources and more to parents, along with FREE Backpacks (with school supplies) to the first 300 kids this Saturday, Aug. 15th from 12 to 3pm at 15003 14th SW.
This is their second annual event, and is in conjunction with the Church Council of Greater Seattle.
Here are the details:
The Port of Seattle Monday announced that an estimated 3,000 jobs will be restored when the airport “Consolidated Rental Car Facility” parking garage construction begins again.
The Port of Seattle, the City of SeaTac, Turner Construction and representatives from the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council and King County Labor Council will officially re-start the construction at a press conference on Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:30am.
Construction on the $419 million, 23-acre site will restore more than 3,000 local, family-wage jobs that were lost when the project was shelved last December. This project is also projected to generate nearly $2 million in tax revenue for the City of SeaTac. At least 1,000 jobs are expected to be created by the end of 2009, and the facility is scheduled to open in spring of 2012.
The Sea-Tac Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility will support all airport-related rental car operations at one convenient location. It is designed to meet the current and future demands of the traveling public. The facility will be a five-story structure that will greatly improve the size, space, and efficiency of rental car operations that are currently spread out from the main terminal garage and multiple off-site locations. In addition, the facility will open up two floors of public parking, more than 3,200 spaces, in the main terminal garage.
The Port of Seattle Commission approved the successful sale of $317 million in revenue bonds in late June in order to re-start the project.
Here’s a full rendering of the garage:
by Since discussions began in October of 2003 to build an urban community center, devoid of the need to drive to find world class cuisine, shopping and entertainment, the city of Burien and its residents and residents-to-be have been eagerly awaiting the grand opening of the new much hyped mini metropolis known at the Town Square.
On June 13th, a very successful grand opening of a new city hall and library allowed people to experience firsthand the fruits of Burien’s growth and economic development. Many notable names spoke and praised the city for all it has achieved. New condos stand just to the west of the city hall building, towering with possibilities for those who can reach into their pockets and afford a lifestyle that promises to offer comfort, convenience and a sort of laid back luxury for its owners. With about one third sold as of June 2009, the condos, once only viewable via one floor plan in a model version are now open to be explored.
But what about the “mixed use neighborhood” feeling that is being promised? The stores that will offer residents the chance to leave their car at home (or in the garage in this case) and leisurely stroll along the city streets with virtually everything they will need within a comfortable walking radius?
Don’t get me wrong – I, as a resident of Burien (not of the new town square) already enjoy our local restaurants, stores and services, but there has long been an expectation and promise of more to come for not just the town square residents, but the rest of us as well. This is where the new leasing agency Leibsohn & Company stepped in after a recent switch in representation of the retail spaces available in the new town square. With spaces available from 1, 128 up to 7,315 square feet, there is really an unlimited amount of opportunities for any potential retailer from the smallest boutique to chain restaurant.
According to Ron Waldbaum, the current listed prices are shown at $28-$32 per square foot, however; “We are ready to talk and make deals.”
Mr. Waldbaum has a personal connection to the city of Burien and is very enthusiastic to see it succeed. When asked what types of business he would like to ideally see move into the vacant spaces he said: ones that would be of benefit to the residents making it nearly unnecessary for them to have to do more than walk down the street for all of the things they might need. Coffee shops, paper products, salons and spas and a variety of culinary options would be the ideal candidates.
“For interested retailers being the first to lease a space would be of great benefit. We are willing to customize the space as needed for their business,” said Waldbaum. “We can break up the larger spaces or design something that works to fill them, whatever the client may need.”
For the time being however, no official leases have been signed, but serious interested parties have been in contact with the Leibsohn & Company agents. We as residents will have to keep our fingers crossed that our beautiful new town square does not become reminiscent of a ghost town.
Burien’s Boehm’s Chocolates is for sale for $35,000, according to this Craigslist Ad, posted Thursday, June 18th at 11:54am:
Boehm’s Chocolates of Burien – $35000 (Burien)
Reply to: sale-sqs6w-1228079749@craigslist.org
Date: 2009-06-18, 11:54AM PDTExceptional Opportunity!!! Established local company since 1981. Up to 150 products available. Over $101K FF&E; 1400 Sq Ft in shopping plaza. Lots of parking. Contact Conrad Topacio, 205.669.0576; info@vantageseattle.com; Vantage Commercial Partners 206.402.5567.
- Location: Burien
- it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Boehm’s Chocolates, located at 148 SW 148th (near Safeway) has been in business since 1981. According to their website, the Burien location appears to be the only one other than the original, which is located in Issaquah:
We are Boehm’s Chocolates Burien of Seattle. We feature Boehm’s products which are manufactured or distributed by Boehm’s Candies Inc. in Issaquah, WA.
Julius Boehm (1897-1981), the original founder of Boehm’s Candy Kitchen in Issaquah, WA, was of Swiss-Austrian decent. After immigrating to the United States in 1940, he and partner George Tedlock opened the first Candy Kitchen in the Greenlake area of Seattle.
In 1956 the company moved to Issaquah where he built the Edelweiss Chalet and a beautiful Alpine Chapel in the shadow of the Issaquah Alps. To this day the Issaquah Boehm’s Candies plant manufacturers over 150 different confections.
Our location, Boehm’s Chocolate Burien is proud to carry many of these delightful confections.
Whether you browse through our online products or take a trip to visit the Boehm’s candy factory in Issaquah, you will find a variety of products and candies and also Boehm’s products that are clearly identified. You can be assured that Boehm’s gourmet confections are produced to the high standards Mr. Boehm set for candymaking over 60 years ago. Boehm’s is proud of their consistent quality and we are often told there is none better.
So…anyone know if chocolate sells more during a recession?
Any wanna-be Willy Wonkas out there in B-Town?
Story and Photo by Janet Grella
A reader tipped The B-Town Blog this morning that Wizards Casino in Burien was closing today. After an investigation, we found out that is indeed true – the doors are closed, and Wizards employed 130 people.
“The city’s (Burien) been great to work with,” said General Manager Pat Hosier.
The decline of Wizards “started with the smoking ban in 2005, where the Casino lost 17% of their customers, and didn’t make them up, and then the economy finished us off,” explained Pat.
We hope to sit down with Pat in the near future to discuss the decisions that went into closing a business that’s been in Burien since 1998.
Wizards was located at 15749 Ambaum Blvd. SW, next to Hi-Line Lanes.
The Wizards website mentions nothing about the closure.
For further information on this closure, check in The B-Town Blog, your most up-to-date local news source right here (you can get our RSS Feed here).
| May ’09 |
| 17 |
| 10:00 am |
There will be a Rummage Sale this Sunday, May 17th at the Normandy Park Cove Community Center, located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive in Normandy Park (map below), from 10am to 3pm, and here are the details:
WHAT: Normandy Park Cove Rummage Sale
WHEN: Sunday, May 17th from 10am to 3pm
WHERE: Normandy Park Cove, located at 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive (map below)
INFO: Many vendors, inside and outside spaces; bring your not-so-useful-stuff-anymore for another huge rummage sale! Tables inside are $20, or set up in the lot for free. You can come and buy stuff also!
CONTACT: Contact coordinator Staci McLaughlin at 206-242-3778
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UPDATE 9/1/09: An email tip leads us to believe that Burien Nissan will be re-opening in mid-September – read the latest here.
Story by Janet Grella
Photos by Michael Brunk
UPDATE 8pm 5/12/09: According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a company called MD Johnson is advising Burien Nissan’s owner, Rainier Automotive, on the sale of this as well as the Auburn Nissan dealership.
PREVIOUSLY: It’s official – Burien Nissan is now closed.
When we attempted to reach John Antonelli, Sales Manager, he actually hung up on us!
That’s right – rather than talk with us about what’s going on, he hung up the phone. The last time we spoke with Mr. Antonelli (March 30th), he claimed “It’s still business as usual. Should have some good news on financing in a few weeks…”
We then called the dealership’s number and received the following recorded message – listen closely as the woman’s voice cracks on the last sentence (“…and wish you all well.”):
[display_podcast]
“Thank you for calling Burien Nissan. At this time our dealership is closed. We have enjoyed being a part of your lives and a part of the Burien community. We appreciate your business over the years and wish you all well.”
According to manta.com, Burien Nissan employed 40 people and had estimated sales of $14.3 million in 2008.
Burien Nissan was part of the Rainier Automotive Group that included Auburn Nissan, along with Eastide Subaru and Eastside Hyandai, both in Kirkland.
At Auburn Nissan the phone rang so long it went to busy (they are closed for business also). At Eastside Subaru we were told that “parts and service are still open and we’re going through a change of ownership and should be open for sales in the next couple of weeks.”
At Eastside Hyandai we got only a voicemail box.
Here’s a photo slideshow of what Burien Nissan looks like now, shot Tuesday afternoon by Photographer Michael Brunk, who says that while he was there, a locksmith was changing the locks on the doors:
All the associated websites are still functioning, with no mention of any closings, as if it’s “business as usual,” when in reality, it’s not.
Previously, we broke the news that Burien Nissan lost its entire inventory when their “flooring” fell through and the financing company basically repossessed their entire car lot over a 24-hour period around March 13th.
No word yet on what will become of this business, nor of the large lot it sits on.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Burien Nissan Expecting New Financing In “A Few Weeks”
- UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
- Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot
| May ’09 |
| 30 |
| 10:00 am |
The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which has a training center in Burien, is holding a “Criminal Justice Job Fair” from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 30th.
Here are the details:
WHAT: WSCJTC Criminal Justice Job Fair
WHEN: Saturday, May 30th from 10am to 3pm
WHERE: WSCJTC center, located at 19010 1st Ave South in Burien (map below)
INFO: Open to the public and FREE TO ATTEND! No job seeker preregistration required.
Agency recruiters will be on hand to fill immediate positions to include:
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- State agencies
- Private security
- Telecommunications
- Training schools
- And more
Bring resumes and dress to impress.
More information and an updated list of agencies confirmed to attend can be found at: www.cjtc.state.wa.us
Additional current openings can also be found on the WSCJTC website on the employment page link:
https://fortress.wa.gov/cjtc/www/employment/index.htm
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Skipper’s Seafood & Chowder, located at 901 SW 148th Street in Burien at Ambaum (map below), appears to have floundered and may be sleeping with da fishes, with this eviction notice posted on its locked doors:
The notice was originally posted by King County Sheriff’s officers on April 3rd, but we only learned about it from a BTB Reader last week.
Currently, the building sits empty, with doors locked and the inside still full of typical restaurant equipment.
UPDATE 5/5/09: Sgt. John Urquhart told us Tuesday morning (5/5) that the owner owes back-rent of $48,000:
“I have been able to determine the eviction involves back-rent totaling about $48,000, plus attorney fees, according to documents filed with the court.”
Also our astute Facebook friend Brian Dirks updated us that Skippers has retained GVA Kidder Mathews to coordinate the disposition of all leasehold and business interests acquired by Skippers and to market and solicit Buyers for the 3,300 square foot restaurant on the nearly-25,000 s.f. property (for more info, or if you want to put a bid on it, click here – yes, you can actually bid through the skippersforsale.com website!).
Sgt. John Urquhart of King County Sheriff’s didn’t have much more info, offering this statement via email:
There really is no information the Sheriff’s Office has. We were merely operating on a court order.
As with all evictions, the Superior Court of King County orders us to take control of a premise and make sure whoever is occupying that premise packs up their belongs and leaves. Then we turn the premise over to the property owners.
With residential property there can be a number of reasons why the landlord got the eviction notice, including not paying the rent, operating a nuisance, drug activity……whatever.
However with a business property the reason is most likely they didn’t pay their rent. But we have no way of knowing and don’t really care, since we do 4,500 to 5,000 evictions of one sort or another every year.
The Skipper’s chain of restaurants filed for bankruptcy in December of 2007, after owing creditors $6.7 million, approximately $2 million of which was to the Internal Revenue Service.
Twenty-one of the outlets were then purchased by individual owners, including this one in Burien.
If any Readers know more information about this Skipper’s, please email us or leave a Comment below.
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After 51 years in their Normandy Park location, Manhattan Drug Store, the neighborhood drug store with “Big city selection and small town service” will soon be writing its last prescription, closing shop and taking their business in a different direction.
“We are very proud to have been entrusted with not only the filling of your prescriptions, but also with giving you advice and counseling in all matters pertaining to your pharmaceutical care. You have made us feel like family,” says a letter from the Hebert family.
While John Hebert Jr. says the change is not recession-related, he hopes to see everyone at the new location in Safeway (on SW 148th Street).
“I will be going to work at the Burien Safeway Pharmacy to help with the transition, which should go very smoothly. Our phone lines and prescription files will be transferred there at the close of business on May 7th,” Hebert said.
The current inventory of the general drug store is now available at discounted prices and fixtures will be sold after the store closes in about two months.
Manhattan Drugs, located at 17833 1st Ave South, is one of the last non-chain drugstore locations in the area.
It is not known if another business is moving into the location.
Here are some comments we found via Google Maps on this store:
Manhattan Pharmacy is your small town type drug store of days gone by. It is a quaint store which a myriad of miscellaneous items so if you can’t find what you are looking for elsewhere try Manhattan Pharmacy. They also have a first-class pharmacy and a small liquor store outlet. It is a great place to just browse. I would certainly recommend a visit to Manhattan Pharmacy — you might like it.
Manhattan Drug Store has been around for years. In addition to having a pharmacy, they offer a wide variety of items for sale, including food products, gift items, etc. Recently I needed some small regional gifts to give to some foreign visitors. I found a wide vairety of candies made in Washington–just what I was looking for–at a reasonable price.
UPDATE: Cafe Mia, which closed without warning last Thursday (we first reported on it Saturday 4/25), is planning on remodeling and re-opening as a “family bar and grill” sometime in early to mid-summer, according to co-owner Todd McKittrick.
We spoke with Mr. McKittrick Monday morning (4/27), and he told us that the cafe, as it was, simply wasn’t making enough money. Despite a strong lunchtime crowd, business wasn’t consistent enough, so they decided to close it down.
McKittrick says that a new restaurant will soon open in the same location after a remodel that changes the current cafe to include:
- More comfortable atmosphere with table service
- Lower ceilings to make it quieter
- Replacing the round tables with more traditional square ones
- Enlarge the outdoor seating area
- Re-design it as a “family bar and grill”
A few Commenters mentioned that they thought the location in the new Normandy Park Towne Center was a problem, one calling it a “dead zone” and another a “black hole,” with one even suggesting that the only business that would thrive would be “a strip bar.”
McKittrick disagrees, saying that it wasn’t the location.
“All three owners are Normandy Park residents,” McKittrick said. “We’re all local, and we all believe that a local restaurant can work at this location. We’re just listening to our customers and making changes based on their feedback. We’ll re-open soon with the same great food, but with a different menu.”
McKittrick said that the remodeled restaurant will have a new name, but that they hadn’t yet decided on what that will be.
Despite the changes, the Cafe Mia website remains unchanged, with no mention of any closure or changes, as does their Facebook page.
Normandy Park resident Helga Herrera reads the notice taped to the front window of Cafe Mia, explaining its sudden closure.
Photos and Story by Scott Schaefer
Cafe Mia, located in the Normandy Park Towne Center on First Avenue South, closed suddenly last Thursday (4/21) with no warning.
Saturday afternoon (4/25) the doors were locked, paper covered all windows, no employees were present, and the only information available was a letter taped to a window near the front door, which read:
April 24, 2009
Dear Loyal Cafe Mia Customers,
We opened as a Cafe and unfortunately realized that this is not what the residents of the City of Normandy park need and want. In an effort to respond better to these needs we are closing effective immediately and are working to rebrand our concept. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you will soon see that our new, more comfortable, family friendly concept will be even better. We will continue to provide great food an hope to add a bar into the new concept.
As residents of this community, our community is very important to us. We are excited to be part of it look forward to bringing you the restaurant that Normandy Park residents need and want. If you have any questions please email us at cafemianp@yahoo.com.
Thanks for your continued support and patience. Please check back for updates.
The Owners of Cafe Mia
We sent an email to the address listed in the notice, but as of 3pm Saturday had not yet heard back; the Cafe Mia website doesn’t mention the closing. We also called the restaurant’s phone number, but after about a dozen rings it went to voicemail.
“I was a regular customer,” said Helga Herrera, a Normandy Park resident and owner of Normandy Nutrition who we found reading the explanatory letter (see photo above). “I loved coming here because they were open late and I could eat here after I closed my store. Plus, they had great coffee.”
While it was opened, Cafe Mia offered fresh baked breads, pizzas, pasta, pastries, paninis and sandwiches, gelato, salads, and even beer and wine.
The recently-opened Normandy Park Towne Center appears to have many empty storefronts and condos, and there were plenty of empty parking spots and little foot traffic when we dropped in on Saturday. The development, which opened in December, is managed by the McKittrick Real Estate Group.
According to the Towne Center website:
“This 3.58 acre mixed use project consisting of retail, office and residential components on 1st Avenue in Normandy Park promises to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood!
With Emerald City Smoothie, Café Mia, Herfy’s and Tight Cuts as our first tenants, we are also proud to offer 26 luxury townhomes for sale and 18 condo flats for rent.”
We’ll keep you updated as soon as we learn what the future holds for this business.
As we first reported Tuesday, the Highline School District is facing major budget cuts, potentially having to lay off the equivalent of 228 full-time Teachers.
According to the school district, the RIF (Reduction In Force) will impact 152 full-time and 114 part-time teachers for a total of 264 individuals, or 228 full time equivalent teachers.
We sent an inquiry to John Welch, Superintendent of the school district, and received his response which we’ve posted below (it can also be seen on the district website as a PDF here):
Message to the community
April 22, 2009Dear Neighbors:
As you probably know, the state is dealing with a budget shortfall of $9 billion. As a result, the legislature will likely make deep cuts to education funding. At Highline Public Schools, we anticipate budget cuts of $8 million for next school year due to state funding cuts. We have already made significant reductions in the current school year; we must now make some very difficult choices for next year.
I have already announced $2.2 million in cuts—elimination of 10 administrator and manager positions, a freeze on administrator and manager pay, and elimination of 20 math and literacy coaching positions.
We still must make cuts of around $6 million. We have identified a list of budget reduction options, and we are asking staff and the public for feedback. You will find the list published on at www.hsd401.org. I invite you to participate in one of the community budget forums being held in the next week:
- Thursday, April 23, 6pm – 8pm: Pacific Middle School
- Saturday, April 25, 9am – 11am: Hazel Valley Elementary
- Monday, April 27, 6pm – 8pm: Evergreen High School campus
We are working very hard to minimize direct impacts on students. But since 70% of district spending is on employees, it is impossible to sustain cuts this deep without cutting staff—both teachers and non-teaching staff.
In our earlier projections based on the governor’s budget, we did not anticipate the need to lay off teachers. Since then, the state budget shortfall has grown significantly, and the state House and Senate have published their budgets, which contain much deeper cuts to public education funding. As a result, we now anticipate a reduction in force (RIF) of 152 full-time and 114 part-time teaching positions.
This is a worst-case scenario. We anticipate we will be able to call back at least some of these teachers.
I had very much hoped to avoid a reduction in force. I regret that we will lose even one teacher. And I recognize that even for those who will be called back to work, the RIF notification is stressful. However, until the legislature finalizes its budget and we know how many teachers are retiring or moving out of the district, we cannot be certain of our staffing needs. This is an unfortunate place to be, and I am asking both staff and the public to be patient as we work through this process.
The school board faces some tough decisions. Your input will help inform their decision-making. Together, we will work to create a budget that meets the needs of students as best we can with the resources we have available.
If you can’t attend any of the three meetings above, you can always send in an anonymous comment by clicking here.
Highline Public Schools serves over 17,000 students in 35 different schools (18 elementary, 4 middle and 13 high schools), ranging in an area from White Center to Des Moines.
More information, including specific budget cuts, is available on the Highline Public Schools website.
| Apr ’09 |
| 23 |
| 6:00 pm |
| Apr ’09 |
| 25 |
| 9:00 am |
| Apr ’09 |
| 27 |
| 6:00 pm |
As if the seemingly endless stream of daily layoffs, rising unemployment rates and closing area businesses isn’t enough bad news, now comes word of major budget cuts for Highline Public Schools, which faces an estimated $8 million in cuts for next year due to reductions in state funding.
As a result, up to 228 teachers could be laid off.
These are in addition to $3 million in cuts already made during the current school year.
Superintendent John Welch has already announced cuts for next year totaling $2.2 million dollars. These cuts are to the central office, including administrator and other non-teaching positions.
“In our earlier projections based on the governor’s budget, we did not anticipate the need to lay off teachers,” Welch said in a statement. “Since then, the state budget shortfall has grown significantly, and the state House and Senate have published their budgets, which contain much deeper cuts to public education funding. As a result, we now anticipate a reduction in force of 228 FTE (Full-Time Employee) teaching positions.”
The public and Highline staff are invited to give input on these options at the following community budget forums (click on the school for address/directions):
- Thursday, April 23, 6pm – 8pm: Pacific Middle School
- Saturday, April 25, 9am – 11am: Hazel Valley Elementary
- Monday, April 27, 6pm – 8pm: Evergreen High School campus
Interpreters will be available, and childcare will be provided for children ages 3-12. No children in diapers, please.
Parents and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend and share their comments with the superintendent on ideas like:
If you were managing the district budget in these tight financial times, what areas would you prioritize and in what areas would you reduce spending?
If you can’t attend, you can always send in an anonymous comment by clicking here.
Highline Public Schools serves over 17,000 students in 35 different schools (18 elementary, 4 middle and 13 high schools), ranging in an area from White Center to Des Moines.
More information, including specific budget cuts, is available on the Highline Public Schools website.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
On Tuesday morning (April 14th), workers from Western Neon in Seattle installed new signs at “Burien Press,” a soon-to-be-opened coffeeshop/newstand located at 423 SW 152nd, next door to the Australian Pie Company and across from the new town square, city hall and library.
Owner Mark Kerns has been busy over the last few months doing a major renovation, turning the former tattoo parlor space into a coffeeshop/newsstand, which he hopes to open sometime in May. The glass windows on the front were installed by Wakefield Glass, a Burien company.
Kerns promises a “european-style” coffeeshop where visitors can relax, have meetings and enjoy free wi-fi, pastries, coffee and magazines from around the world.
Burien Press already has website up, but with only the logo posted.
Stay tuned to The B-Town Blog for more news as the opening gets closer.
The innovative low-income helping newspaper Real Change has an interesting article on how a Burien family avoided foreclosure on their home through the Burien-based ACORN office.
Definitely worth a read if you like to start your week with positive, uplifting news about local folks making it through tough times with help from others:
After being unable to meet their mortgage payments, Georgene Monday, with her brother, Jesse Bake, expected to lose their Burien home to foreclosure. But after contacting ACORN, the mortgage was rewritten.
In an amazing, 11th-hour save that Monday attributes to contacting legislators, friends writing the lender for her and, most importantly, finding ACORN, a grassroots group that was negotiating loans for distressed homeowners nationwide before the housing bubble burst.
Monday, 62, got a referral to the Seattle-area chapter of ACORN – the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now – after contacting the state attorney general’s office for help.
Read the full article here.
And if you’re in a similar situation, please don’t hesitate to contact ACORN – they’re headquartered right here in Burien:
ACORN
134 SW 153rd Street, # A
Burien, WA 98166
(206) 241-9242
www.acorn.org/?15113
UPDATE 9/1/09: An email tip leads us to believe that Burien Nissan will be re-opening in mid-September – read the latest here.
As of Monday, March 30th, Burien Nissan’s lot remains empty of any new car inventory, and according to Sales Manager John Antonelli:
“It’s still business as usual. Should have some good news on financing in a few weeks…”
As we first reported March 13th, the longtime Burien auto dealer’s inventory was carted up around March 11th when several auto carrier trucks came in and hauled away around 100 new Nissan vehicles. Apparently their “flooring” (financing) fell through with the finance arm of Nissan.
This dealership, which recently underwent a $5 million remodeling, is owned by Rainier Automotive Group. Rainier also owns Auburn Nissan, which sits in a similar state. Their websites (Burien Nissan, Auburn Nissan) make no reference to any problems, but at this lot they laid off 30 employees and they still have no cars to sell.
However, if you’re a customer, you should know that Burien Nissan is still open for both Parts and Service Monday through Friday, from 7:30am to 6pm.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- UPDATE: More Information On Burien Nissan’s Inventory
- Burien Nissan Loses Entire Stock, Now An Empty Lot
UPDATE 9/1/09: An email tip leads us to believe that Burien Nissan will be re-opening in mid-September – read the latest here.
As we first reported last Friday (March 13th), longtime auto dealer Burien Nissan had its entire lot of new cars (around 100) hauled away within the span of two days.
It may appear that the dealership has, or is, going out of business – but it’s not, according to Sales Manager John Antonelli:
“There are 1,900 Nissan Dealerships in the United States. 900 of them are in the same situation that Burien Nissan is in.
There are also around four other Nissan Dealerships in the State of Washington in the same situation.
Any Nissan Dealership that has a dual franchise like a Ford,Chevy,Dodge ect and that is Floored and collateralised with NMAC. NMAC will pull your flooring and make you find a New flooring bank for all of your New and Used Cars that are 2004 or newer without enough ample time to do so.
We are open for business as usual for Sales,Parts, and Service.
This could take days or even weeks to get a new flooring bank.
We would like to say thank you very much to our customers and the businesses in our surrounding area for all your support and phone calls.
This means alot to us that we have a great community that really cares about Burien Nissan and our employees.”
We will continue to follow this story as it develops, and will bring you more updates as they happen.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
UPDATE 9/1/09: An email tip leads us to believe that Burien Nissan will be re-opening in mid-September – read the latest here.
Story and Photos by Janet Grella
BREAKING NEWS: Burien Nissan, located at the Five Corners intersection of First Ave South and SW 160th, has lost its entire stock of cars and is now basically an empty lot.
Since Wednesday, numerous auto carrier trucks have been hauling vehicles away from the lot, with a total of 100 new cars removed, which we estimate to be between $2 and $3 million in inventory.
But, according to Sales Manager John Antonelli, “it’s business as usual – we’re still open for business in service, parts and sales. When we get our new financing we’ll re-open in a couple of weeks.”
The hauled-away Nissan cars are apparently being taken to a nearby port, and will be auctioned off in the near future.
Antonelli says that new inventory will likely return in a few weeks, and that Burien Nissan is in the middle of a “financial restructuring.”
Twenty-seven employees have been laid off, with just eight remaining on staff.
Burien auto dealers account for a significant portion of tax revenue for Burien, and Dick Loman, Economic Development Director for the city, said “This sorry economic downturn is just hurting everybody.”
Original owner’s son David Gjersee sits at his desk Friday in-between phone calls with potential buyers. Gjersee’s Father started Burien Datsun on this location in 1969, and he now serves as a Sales Professional. This business is one of the oldest Nissan dealerships in the US.
Gjersee also said it was “business as usual” even though he had no cars to sell.
This Reporter walked on to the empty lot late Friday morning and noticed that while there were no new Nissans on the lot, there were still a few cars present, which were most likely employee vehicles; however, the service department was busy.
As a longtime Burien resident, I found it shocking to see, especially after their $5 million remodel a year and a half ago.
This story is still developing, and we’ll post updates as we get them.
Like many Burien businesses, Poggi Bonsi has had to find new ways to deal with the recent economic downturn.
With two different retail locations on the same block on SW 152nd in Olde Burien, Poggi Bonsi has had to juggle a lot to stay afloat:
- Two rents
- Payroll
- Overhead
- Inventory (imported Italian/French kitchen items, gifts, ceramics, linens, glass, jewelry and much more)
Yet one thing they have not been juggling lately is upscale local customers with open wallets.
So how can a local import business turn lemons into lemonade (or in this case, limones into limonata)?
Co-owners Keli DeRitis and Michelle Codd decided that, rather than just close up shop, to adapt.
They consulted with numerous business advisors, including Zev Siegl, who now consults for the Small Business Development Center at Highline Community College. Zev was one of the co-founders of Starbucks.
DeRitis and Codd are turning their “corner store” into a retail outlet store, offering a 30% discount “all the time,” with hopes of becoming more of a shopping destination.
In the meantime, they’re turning most of their attention somewhere else – online.
“It’s no secret that retail sales have slipped this past year,” DeRitis said, “but our web business has remained constant and the competition is dwindling. We have about 10,000 visitors per month to our site, with orders coming from all over the US and Canada, including England, Dubai, and yes – even Burien.”
DeRitis and Codd will be spending more time expanding and marketing their website, and narrowing their focus.
DeRitis adds, “We are excited about this change and feel that it is a positive direction for our company. We’re revamping the store to incorporate more of our imports and house our shipping area so customers will be able to see us in action. We have plans to add a world map pin-pointed with all the shipping destinations for our products. So far customers are very supportive of this change, they like feeling they’re part of something larger. They still have their beloved neighborhood gift store – but now with discounted pricing.”
Poggi Bonsi can be found both at their Cucina store at 907 SW 152nd and new Retail Outlet at 901 SW 152nd, or at their online store here.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're a local business with a success story, please email us - we're your pro-Burien evangelists who are here to help the business community, and we love to share positive news.]
| Mar ’09 |
| 14 |
| 10:30 am |
BTB Reader Theresa Frasch tells us that area unemployed can received a free “Franklin Planner” this coming Saturday, March 14th at the Franklin Covey Store at Southcenter Mall.
It appears that the only catch is that you have to physically go into the store and provide them with information about your last employer, thus giving them the chance to upsell you their other products.
But what do you expect for free?
Here are the details:
LOST YOUR JOB? GET A FREE FRANKLIN PLANNER FROM FRANKLIN COVEY
Unemployed Can Receive a Boost from Franklin Covey Product Stores Nationwide
WHO: Individuals who recently lost their jobs are invited to visit a FranklinCovey Products store nationwide this coming Saturday to receive a free 2009 Franklin Planner.
WHAT: FranklinCovey Products is giving those who have recently lost their job a leg up during these recessionary times. Individuals recently unemployed can receive one 2009 Franklin Planner for free by providing the names of their last employer and the date they were laid off.
WHEN: Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:30 am – 9:00pm (In-store event only)
WHERE: Franklin Covey at SouthCenter Mall, located at 122 SouthCenter Mall in Tukwila; 206-431-0341
WHY: Getting organized for a job search can ultimately save much time and frustration. Having one place to track all information, contacts, appointments, job leads, and interview notes can make a job search less stressful and more productive. Planning and organization are an integral component of a job search. FranklinCovey products and tools can bring focus, direction, and a sense of purpose to an individual’s daily decisions and can help lesson the panic that surrounds a job loss.
INFO: For more information, please visit www.franklinplanner.com
| Mar ’09 |
| 9 |
| 6:30 pm |
| Mar ’09 |
| 16 |
| 6:30 pm |
The Burien Library Guild is sponsoring two Free Job Hunting Seminars on the next two Mondays, March 9th and March 16th, from 6:30pm to 8:3pm at the Burien Library.
So if you’re “in between gigs” (as we like to say), then you should mark your calendars:
WHAT: FREE Job Hunting Seminar
WHEN: Monday, March 16th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
WHERE: Burien Library, located at 14700 6th Ave SW
INFO: Don’t miss this great series that brings experts from the human resources and recruiting world to share job search tips, resume dos and donts, and information on online applications and government jobs.
Sponsored by the Burien Library Guild.
Call or visit the Burien Library for seminar details: (206) 243-3490.
On Tuesday, Burien’s Highline Medical Center laid off 85 management and staff positions.
CEO Mark Benedum said, “Today is an incredibly difficult and painful day for us. In order to assure our financial stability, we had to reduce 85 management and staff positions at both campuses through a lay-off. In many cases, these are individuals who have given years of service and significant contributions to our organization. This was not an easy decision and it was something I had hoped we would not have to do.”
Like most hospitals both locally and nationally, Highline Medical Center has been hit hard by the declining economy. Highline’s net revenue has been negatively impacted by both a decrease in outpatient volumes and an increase in uncompensated care. These factors led to significant financial losses in December and January and a projected loss in February.
Benedum continued, “We have taken actions to respond to the decline in the economy. While we initially believed that these measures would allow us to manage the economic fall-out, it was not enough. We cannot continue to spend more than we are earning. Continued losses of this magnitude are not an option. We have a responsibility to our patients and the community to reduce our costs and remain financially viable.”
The vast majority of positions that were eliminated were not involved in direct patient care.
Highline Medical Center first opened in 1958 as Burien General Hospital. It now includes two healthcare campuses and more than 20 clinics across Southwest King County. As the tenth-busiest emergency department in the Puget Sound region, Highline serves as the base station for the Burien area emergency medical unit. In 2008, Highline broke ground on a new ER & Patient Care unit, which is slated to open in early 2010.
More information is available at their website: www.highlinemedicalcenter.org.
| Mar ’09 |
| 10 |
| 9:30 am |
| Apr ’09 |
| 14 |
| 2:00 pm |
Highline Community College is sponsoring a seminar entitled “Steps to Finding a Career in a Down Economy” on Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30am to 11am, and again on Tuesday April 14th from 2pm to 3:30pm.
Here are the details:
WHAT: “Steps to Finding a Career in a Down Economy” workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10th from 9:30am – 11am and Tuesday, April 14th from 2pm – 3:30pm
WHERE: Highline Community College, Building 99, Room 132; located at 2400 South 240th Street in Des Moines (map below)
INFO: Discover tips and strategies for finding a good job in a down economy, including how to stand out in the job pool and using unique job search resources. Jack Harton, a Highline librarian, will show how to successfully use search engines to find job opportunities.
COST: Free and open to the public.
RSVP: (206) 878-3710 x3812 or via email to hrstaff@highline.edu
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