The City of Burien announced Thursday (Jan. 20th) that it will be closing a section of Ambaum Blvd. for construction work on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 25th and 26th.

A one-block section of Ambaum, just south of SW 116th Street (see map below) will be closed for repair work of the storm drainage system. Short detours will be set up in both directions, with police officers directing traffic. Vehicles will be directed east to 12th Ave. S. on SW 116th St. and SW 118th St. to bypass the construction area.

Metro buses that service Ambaum Boulevard also will use the detour.

The road work and closure on Ambaum is weather-permitting; it will be postponed in the event of rain.

Ambaum will be reopened on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 27th and 28th, but will be down to one lane in both directions at SW 122nd Street because of continued storm drainage work.

The traffic disruptions will move south on Ambaum in the weeks and months ahead as construction on the storm drainage system and sidewalks continue south to SW 156th Street.

View Larger Map

An example of a "Complete Street," this intersection in Charlotte, NC, safely accommodates all road users, including motorists, transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

The City of Burien will be hosting a “Complete Streets” training workshop presented by the Cascade Bicycle Club at City Hall starting at 8am on Thursday, Jan. 27th.

The will include a presentation and discussion about Complete Streets by David Hiller, Cascade Bicycle Club Advocacy Director, and Tessa Greegor, the club’s principal planner. The pair will then lead a walking exercise through part of Burien’s downtown.

“Complete Streets refer to streets that are “completed” for bicyclists and pedestrians, such as those with sidewalks and bike lanes,” said a press release. “This training will help the City develop a policy that considers bicyclists and pedestrians in future street designs within Burien. The City does not have a Complete Streets policy at this time, but City staff has been asked to research and explore such a policy as part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant recently awarded to Burien. Staff is currently looking into how Complete Streets have worked in other cities such as Seattle and Redmond.”

The City of Burien is being provided this training through the (CPPW) grant awarded in July 2010 to members of the Healthy Highline Communities Coalition, which is comprised of the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac, as well as the Highline School District. The coalition’s goal is to support efforts of schools, local governments and communities to increase healthy eating and physical activity through policy, systems and environment changes that will improve the health of residents and students in the greater Highline area.

Following the walking exercise on Jan. 27, the group will return to City Hall multi-purpose room (400 S.W. 152nd St., first floor) for an information and discussion session from 10:40 a.m. to noon. City staff members also will participate in the exercise and discussion. The public is welcome to participate. Those who plan to attend the walking exercise are asked to RSVP so that the City can reserve additional reflective vests. Vans may be used for part of the route if the gathered group is larger than planned.

To RSVP for training, please contact Management Analyst Dori Babcock at (206) 248-5529, or email her at dorib@burienwa.gov.

For more information on the Cascade Bicycle Club, or its work on Complete Streets, please see the club’s education foundation website: http://www.cbcef.org or blog, http://blog.cascade.org.

This training, as other CPPW grant work, is made possible by funding from the Department of Health and Human Services and Public Health – Seattle and King County.

The City of Burien this week released a map that shows the routes its anti-icing equipment will take when the roads get icy or snowy.

This map may possibly find use as early as this weekend if the recent predictions of a cold snap hold up (we’ll be following the weather closely so stay tuned…).

Some interesting observations:

• It appears the city isn’t planning on de-icing First Ave South from SW 160th south, as that is apparently out of city limits (does First Ave South belong to Normandy Park in this area?)
• SW 152nd from Maplewild SW east to Ambaum Blvd. SW, a fairly-trafficked street that passes St. Francis School, is apparently not on the route either.
• Burien’s trucks will apparently shut off its equipment as it cruises along Sylvester Ave when it runs through the stretch that belongs to Normandy Park (see closeup of map below; I guess the NP de-icers will take over that area?)

Check it out below – is your street on it? (click image to see larger version, or click here to download a high-res PDF):

(To download a high-res PDF, click here)

Where Sylvester runs through Normandy Park, will Burien's anti-icers shut down?

Who is responsible for de-icing First Ave South south of SW 160th? Normandy Park?

by Theresa De Lay

Homelessness is a huge problem all across the country. In recent years, the economic downfall of our society has caused countless more men, women and children to call the streets their home. Just within Seattle, there is an estimated population of more than 6,000 homeless people.

Being homeless is a devastating and vicious cycle. With no place to clean their clothes or take a shower, it often proves difficult for the homeless to acquire and maintain jobs. Homeless youth are at higher risk for depression, rape and abuse. Dropping out of high school, turning to drugs and resorting to a criminal lifestyle are all too common.

Spending a wintry night outside is most assuredly a death sentence in other areas. Thankfully we live in the Pacific Northwest, an area known for its ‘mild’ weather. Try telling that to a Seattle-area homeless family as they are huddled together to keep their children warm.

It’s difficult to fight homelessness. With the economy in shambles, most of us don’t have a penny to spare and the local government is scrounging to fit budgetary needs with very little money. Job openings are hard to come by and financial assistance is even harder. Sadly and quite obviously, this is a predicament with no easy fix.

Venessa Stiffarm

Amidst the uphill battle against homelessness, I’m proud to bring you news about the Forgotten Friends Project. It began when Venessa Stiffarm humbly dreamt of giving 20 homeless ‘friends’ a small holiday gift this December; a card with $5 and a scarf to stay warm.

Venessa was born and raised in West Seattle and attended Chief Sealth High School. Known for her loving and generous nature, she lived on the streets for two of her teenage years. When asked about this experience she said:

“I know what it is like to be hungry and have no food. I was forced to steal it from the grocery stores. Many days, I didn’t eat at all. I remember my first night out, and how cold I was and scared. It was September of 2000 and it was just the start of the rainy season.”

It’s only natural for her to reach out to others now. Seattle is her home, and the people of Seattle are her family. After telling her friends and family about her plans for the FFP, it took on a life of its own.

The goal of the FFP has shifted, but only slightly. The FFP is now collecting holiday cards, small monetary gifts to include in the cards, hats, scarves and gloves. On December 11th, FFP volunteers will pass out the cards and small gifts to the homeless people of Seattle.

With a month to go before The Big Give Away Day, the FFP will be able to reach out to a lot more than the 20 people Venessa originally thought of. When asked about her vision for the FFP, Venessa said that she wants to “show those who are homeless that people really do care about them. Maybe by raising awareness more people will be willing to work on creating lasting solutions to the problem.”

Take a moment to imagine the impact if each person donated one dollar or told one friend about this project. Imagine the smiles, the warmth and the compassion that we can give others! Consider the difference we can make in someone’s life – no matter how small.

Find out more about the Forgotten Friends Project on Facebook:

“We could change someone’s life by the simplest act of kindness; a holiday card to those who would otherwise be forgotten this season.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Alex O’Neal

by Ralph Nichols

Tucci & Sons Inc. of Tacoma is the apparent low-bidder to provide 38,000 tons of asphalt for the initial phase of Burien’s 20-year asphalt overlay project, which is expected to begin in September.

Doug Lamothe, the capital projects manager for the city’s Public Works Department, said Tucci & Sons’ base bid was $5,721,582. Bids were requested for six project add-ons as well in case there is enough money to do the additional work.

“Right now we’re trying to determine how to piece in the add-ons with the money available,” Lamothe said. “The bids were extremely favorable so there’s a good chance that by the time we put all our numbers together we will be able to do most of the additional work as well in 2011.”

The city will have approximately $8.7 million from bonds it is issuing to pay for the first phase of the asphalt overlay project, which will be done during the remainder of this year’s construction season and throughout the construction season next year.

“At the rate we’re going, we’re hoping to have the contract awarded and a pre-construction conference by Sept. 1,” he continued. “Our first initial push is to make improvements on Ambaum Blvd.,” with road work starting later in the month.

“That is what we will probably see done this year before weather curtails construction activity. Generally speaking, the weather curtails asphalt work around Nov. 1, unless we get a stretch of warm weather, until early April.”

In addition to Ambaum Blvd. between SW 112th and SW 156th streets, the phase one base bid includes asphalt overlays on 4th Ave. SW between SW 154th and 156th streets, S/SW 128th St. between Des Moines Memorial Drive and Ambaum, and SW 148th St. between Ambaum and 4th Ave. SW.

Except for Ambaum, this work will be done in 2011.

Lamothe said the city is “extremely pleased with the bidding climate and the results of our project advertising and design, and we‘re looking forward to really making some improvements to the streets of Burien that are most in need of overlays.”

The 20-year asphalt overlay program, with a $19.4 million price tag, will put 2-inch asphalt overlays on more than 260 lane miles to restore and maintain city streets at an average Pavement Condition Index level of 80 percent. The current average condition of local streets is 68 percent.

A $10 vehicle license tab fee will generate $300,000 for the ongoing project beyond 2011, with savings the city will realize by doing in-house some programs previously done by King County providing the rest of the money annually.

by Ralph Nichols

A $10 vehicle license fee was adopted on June 21 by the Burien Transportation District to fund a 20-year, $19.4 million program to restore and maintain city streets.

The action came on a 4-3 vote by the city council, sitting as the board of commissioners for the transportation district, following a public hearing.

This program, including the fee, was approved by the council in April, but state law required that final action be taken by the transportation district commission.

Mayor Joan McGilton, Deputy Mayor Rose Clark, and council members Jack Block Jr. and Kathy Keene voted for the fee on vehicles registered in the city.

Council members Brian Bennett, Lucy Krakowiak and Gordon Shaw opposed it.

The affirmative vote also provided that the boundary of the city wide district will expand to include any future annexations by Burien.

Only two residents testified during the public hearing: Ed Dacy, who supported the fee-based program as an investment in the city’s future; and former councilman Stephen Lamphear, who opposed the action.

The $10 license fee will help fund 2-inch asphalt overlays and related repairs on more than 260 miles of city streets to restore and maintain city streets at an average Pavement Condition Index level of 80 percent. The current average condition of local streets is 68 percent.

McGilton said prior to the vote that with the lack of state and federal funds, “the only funding source remaining to us is our city. Ten dollars is a reasonable amount to pay for those of us who use the roads in Burien.”

The $10 fee will help fund 2-inch asphalt overlays and related repairs on more than 260 miles of Burien streets.

Block called it “a good investment that has a good payback,” while Keene called it “good policy” that “brings our roads up to the standards we want … unlike our sister city to the north.”

Lamphear’s remarks echoed his recent comments in a letter to The B-Town Blog (link here) that the hearing is “a time and money waster.”

In that letter, he criticized “the arrogance of the Imperial Burien City Council” for thumbing “their collective noses at the 75% of voters who voted NO on this license fee last year.”

The Transportation Benefit District was adopted by the city council in July 2009, which proposed at that time bicycle and pedestrian improvements along 8th Avenue S. and S/SW 136th Sts. – to be funded through an annual vehicle license fee of $25.

But last fall, this license fee proposal was rejected by 75 percent of those voting in the city election.

Although state law requires a Transportation Improvement District commission to hold a public hearing when fees are imposed, it does not require a vote on fees at a basic $10 level.

Asked about Lamphear’s complaint by The B-Town Blog prior to Monday’s meeting, the Mayor flatly rejected it.

“I don’t think the community felt obligated just to do 136th Street and 8th Avenue,” McGilton said, referring to the limited scope of last year’s ballot issue compared to the new program.

To residents, asphalt-overlays throughout the city “means the street by my house,” she said.

And the $10 fee for this program to improve all city streets is much less than the $25 fee that was proposed for bicycle and pedestrian improvements only.

“We’re paying it forward,” McGilton continued. “Ten dollars per car is a good investment in 20 years of drivable roads. This is a road program that will be paid for by everybody who lives in the city and drives on our roads.”

The $10 fee will generate about $300,000 annually for ongoing asphalt overlays. Funds for the initial $8.6 million phase of the project, expected to start this summer and continue through 2011, will come from bonds issued by the city.

McGilton noted that this is the third year the city has not been able to pay for asphalt overlays through its general fund.

This program “shows vision,” she added. “It’s doing something good for the community rather than just doing what gets us re-elected.”

by Ralph Nichols

Burien City Council members voted 5-2 on April 26 to put the brakes on deteriorating streets – using a new $10 annual license tab fee to help pay for the ongoing roadwork.

“Future generations are going to thank you for this, I guarantee it,” City Manager Mike Martin told the lawmakers after the action, which creates a Transportation Benefit District in Burien.

The $10 license tab fee – the maximum amount that can be imposed by law without asking voters for permission – will be assessed on vehicles registered in the city.

It will generate $300,000 annually to fund part of the cost of a 20-year, $19.4 million program to restore Burien’s streets with a 2-inch asphalt overlay, which will maintain them at an average Pavement Condition Index of 80 percent.

The current condition of city streets is an average of 68 percent, with all of the city’s streets needing work.

And, Public Works Director Larry Blanchard reminded council members, the cost of repairing streets increases “exponentially” compared to the cost of maintaining them in good condition.

“The time is now to buy these [street maintenance] services,” declared Councilman Gordon Shaw before the council’s vote.

“Ten dollars is the right amount” for the license tab fee, said Mayor Joan McGilton. “We need to get started now while construction prices are probably as good as we’re going to get.”

Joining McGilton and Shaw in voting yes were Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and council members Jack Block Jr., Rose Clark and Kathy Keene.

Brian Bennett and Lucy Krawkowiak voted no.

“We need to acknowledge these are tough economic times” and a $10 fee would “be a hardship” for some vehicle owners, Bennett said.

A new $10 license tab fee will help pay to repair roads like this, located at SW 158th between Ambaum Blvd. and 1st Ave South.

Krakowiak opposed the ordinance even after saying that “cars should pay for the use of streets.”

But, countered Block, “the sooner we get going, the sooner we can bring our roads up to industrialized-world standards,” noting that Burien does not want its streets to deteriorate to “third-world” conditions like some in Seattle are.

He also argued that tapping the city’s Capital Projects Reserve Fund “is totally appropriate” to maintain infrastructure.

Funding for street maintenance “has slowly eroded … to the point where [it] has been stopped until adequate funding is restored,” Blanchard told council members.

And “not overlaying streets can only continue for a few years, then repair costs of streets will exponentially increase up to10 times the cost of normal repair to the point that the city cannot afford to replace the 263 lane miles of streets.”

As a result of the council action, the city will spend $8.6 million through 2011 to bring its street system up to an average Pavement Condition Index of 80-plus percent. Actual road work could begin later this construction season.

Following this work, which will resurface many of the city’s major arterials, it will spend $600,000 a year to maintain the streets – minimizing what Blanchard called “the extraordinary cost of rebuilding failed streets.”

The initial $8.6 million phase of this ongoing project will be funded by bonds that will be issued by the city late this summer.

A 20-year, $650,000 annual debt service and the annual $600,000 maintenance work will be paid from several sources:

• $750,000 in annual savings by having Burien staff and equipment doing surface water management and street maintenance that currently is done by King County;
• $100,000 from the Capital Projects Reserve Fund;
• $100,000 from in-lieu fees assessed Seattle City Light customers;
• And the $300,000 from license tab fees assessed through the new Transportation Benefit District.

by Ralph Nichols

Will $10 – or $20 – vehicle license tab fees be coming to Burien soon?

City council members agree that an ongoing street maintenance program is needed – beginning soon – to keep Burien’s streets in good condition and to avoid the far costlier process of rebuilding them later.

They also concur, reluctantly, that with a pared-down city budget, which has put asphalt-overlay projects on hold for the last two years, the only way to pay for it is with a special revenue package just for roads.

But no sitting city council can tell future councils how to spend money, and that reality concerns this group of lawmakers. They want to insure that all special revenue for roads goes, without exception, to roads and isn’t tapped for other programs in the future.

With this in mind, council members moved closer on April 12 to giving a green light to a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) in Burien that would help pay for the asphalt overlay program – and perhaps provide some matching funds for a freeway off-ramp to the Northeast Redevelopment Area as well.

Revenue raised through TBD license tab fees can be used only for the transportation purposes designated when the district was created.

With 35,745 registered vehicles in Burien, including newly annexed North Burien, which will be included in the proposed 20-year asphalt overlay program, a $20 fee would generate an estimated $636,966 annually, a $10 fee $381,483, and a $5 fee $159,242, City Finance Director Tabatha Miller told lawmakers.

Proposed by City Manager Mike Martin and Public Works Director Larry Blanchard, the ambitious program would cost $19.4 million over the next 20 years. Without it, they have said, streets will deteriorate and require repairs that cost 5 to 10 times as much routine maintenance.

An asphalt overlay of just 2 inches can keep a good street in good condition, Blanchard noted. That is the aim of this plan, which would maintain Burien’s road system at an average Pavement Condition Index of 80 percent. Currently, city streets average 68 percent on that index.

The program, as proposed to the council, would cost Burien $8.6 million to upgrade those streets that are in the worst condition, yet can still be upgraded with overlays, during the balance of 2010 and in 2011. Beginning in 2012, the ongoing overlay program would continue at a cost of $600,000 annually.

By contrast, the cost of completely rebuilding deteriorated streets is around $231 million at current construction costs, Blanchard added.

Miller has recommended paying for the maintenance project with Build America Bonds with annual bond payments of $650,000. She said the total investment including bond payments from 2010 forward would cost the city $1.25 million.

Based on her initial suggestions for additional revenue sources, combined with priorities recommended by council members on March 29, most of the annual $1.25 million payment could come from $750,000 in operating savings with the city assuming surface water management and transportation services from King County, $100,000 in property tax from the Capital Reserve Fund, $100,000 in Seattle City Light in-lieu fees.

The remaining $300,000 could come from annual $10 license tab fees established by a TBD.

Councilman Brian Bennett wondered what the new residents in North Burien think about the proposed fees, and then asked if it is possible to reduce the estimated cost by reducing the scope of the asphalt-overlay program.

While costs always can be reduced, Martin replied, the corresponding reduced maintenance will result in the gradual deterioration of some streets.

Mayor Joan McGilton likened this approach to applying a coat of primer to a house without adding the main coat of paint. That, added Blanchard, would push the higher costs of rebuilding roads onto future users of city streets.

Councilman Jack Block Jr. expressed concern about the lack of an inflation factor in the 20-year cost projection, which Blanchard said was left out to avoid complicating the calculations. But, he suggested, the same inflationary factors that would increase long-range costs would also increase projected revenues.

Block also said while a $10 license tab fee would be a “reasonable cost,” $20 could be too much because “people are having issues right now. We need to be cautious in the fees we ask the citizens to pay.”

SW 158th between Ambaum Blvd. and First Ave South.

Although Councilman Gordon Shaw said he liked “the program before us with $10 car tab fees,” another $10 could be used in the future toward an off-ramp that would serve the Northeast Redevelopment Area. “This would get more land into [commercial] production to generate the additional taxes” the city needs, he noted.

Other council members also indicated support for using some car-tab revenue for such an off-ramp. And Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak endorsed using a $20 fee to pay for asphalt overlays with leftover funds going to the off-ramp.

Martin informed council members that license tab fees could be designated for the off-ramp as well as for the overlay program at the time a TBD is established.

So…what do YOU think? Please take our Poll below, or leave a Comment…

by Ralph Nichols

Remember the television commercials for Fram filters from the 1980s?

A somber-faced mechanic, holding a dirty air or oil filter that should have been replaced 100,000 miles ago, would tell viewers that the car owner’s neglect - and his use of cheap filters – resulted in a costly valve job or an even more expensive engine replacement.

“Pay me now,” the TV mechanic intoned, “or pay me later.”

Fast forward to Burien 2010.

Due to budget constraints, routine street overlay work – applying 2 inches of asphalt to the existing surface – has not been done for two years.

Yet asphalt overlays are essential maintenance to extend the life of roadways. Further neglect will result in irreversible deterioration, resulting in the far more costly process of rebuilding them.

It’s a matter of “pay now, or pay later.”

That’s the bottom-line message City Manager Mike Martin and Public Works Director Larry Blanchard delivered to city council members at a special meeting March 29 (download PDF of proposal here).

On this point, there seemed to be no disagreement.

Councilman Gordon Shaw did question prior council decisions that led to this dilemma by placing funding for lower-priority programs and services ahead of street maintenance.

But all acknowledged that asphalt-overlay work on city streets needs to begin soon – and then continue on a regular basis – to avoid expensive rebuilding later.

Martin and Blanchard proposed an ambitious, ongoing maintenance program – $19.4 million over the next 10 years – which Martin said “is very much a legacy project.”

Blanchard noted that, with Burien’s average Pavement Condition Index currently at 68 percent, “every street needs work.” And, he cautioned, “repairs to failed streets cost 5 to 10 times as much as streets that have not failed.”

Photos from the city's Street Overlay Program Dilemma & Solution PDF. Click on image to see larger version.

Just a 2-inch overlay will keep a good street in good condition, Blanchard added. The plan proposed would maintain Burien streets at an average Pavement Condition Index of 80 percent.

Neglect of routine street maintenance “is a trend that can’t continue,” Martin told council members. “This is preserving an asset … we need to preserve asphalt.”

A good street system, he said, “is a core service that we as a city provide.” In addition to supporting general transportation, deteriorating streets impact crime, economic development and neighborhoods.

The dilemma facing the council is how to pay for asphalt overlays. There isn’t enough revenue coming into city coffers to fund the needed overlay program after current budget commitments are paid for.

Although Finance Director Tabatha Miller presented a funding strategy, much of which council members seemed to like, lawmakers aren’t sold on certain elements of this plan.

They will continue this discussion at their April 5 meeting.

Even with the unwelcome projected price tag, council members were given a silver lining. By bringing asphalt overlay work in-house, the city, which has contracted this out to King County in the past, will save $750,000 a year.

“That’s big news, really big news,” Martin said, adding that it reflects the efficiency that Burien city staff brings to a project.

The asphalt-overlay program, as proposed to the council, would cost Burien $8.6 million this year to upgrade those streets that are in the worst condition yet can still be repaired.

This maintenance would be done during the remainder of 2010 and in 2011, although no additional funds would be used next year.

Beginning in 2012, the overlays would continue at an annual cost of $600,000 annually.

These costs estimates do not include anticipated growth or inflationary factors, Blanchard cautioned.

Compared to the cost of completely building a deteriorated roadway, the $19.4 million price tag facing Burien is a bargain, he suggested.

The 10-year cost of completely rebuilding damages streets currently is around $231 million, Blanchard added.

Miller recommended paying for the maintenance project with Build America Bonds with annual bond payments of $650,000. She said the total investment including bond payments from 2010 forward would cost the city $1.25 million.

One revenue source suggested by Miller is a Transportation Benefit District that would be funded by a $20 car tab fee on all vehicles registered inside the city. A proposal for a similar district to provide bike paths was soundly defeated in the election last November.

Other possible revenue sources include operational savings from surface water management and transportation services by bringing these programs in-house, increasing the electric utility tax (on Puget Sound Energy customers) from 3 percent to 6 percent, expanding the utility tax on solid waste collection to include recycling and yard waste disposal, negotiating some fees with water and sewer districts, and increasing the city’s business and occupation tax rate.

“As we go along, hopefully we can find additional funding sources,” Martin said.

Shaw and Councilwoman Kathy Keene both said they want any special funds for street maintenance be committed “to actually go to roads.”

Councilwoman Rose Clark said Burien is in its current financial bind, necessitating special funding for street maintenance, because “over time with various [tax limitation] initiatives to take away money from cities, the counties and the state … we’re down several million dollars a year as a result.”

The decision rests with city residents, said Mayor Joan McGilton – “new taxes on the citizens or lose services. If they are not willing to have these taxes levied against them for services, they must be willing to accept a decreased level of services.”

But, Shaw demurred, “it bothers me that roads are easy things to steal from in tough times to balance the budget. You don’t have to lay anyone off [to delay road work].

“Some decisions of this council [have resulted in] money going elsewhere that could have gone to roads and the good of our citizens.” He added, “We probably wish now we would have done this.”

“The Snake” will be out in full force in the area Sunday (Mar. 14), as the 2010 “Cove to Clover” 5k fundraiser race for the Highline Food Bank will kick off at 1pm sharp from the Normandy Park Community Club, then wind its way through Burien and end in front of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub.

Because of the race, which is expected to have over 1,000 runners, there will be many road closures going on, beginning at 12:50pm and in some spots continuing until 5pm.

Also, if you plan on running, you should seriously consider parking near Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub in downtown Burien, then taking one of the shuttles to the starting line – more details on the Cove to Clover website.

Don’t forget also to “spring ahead” at 2am Sunday morning, as Daylight Savings Time officially begins.

Weather-wise, we’re expecting a mostly cloudy day with highs in the mid-50s and a 10% chance of rain.

Here’s are details on the street closures, as well as a street map:

• The entire 5K race route will be closed to traffic.
• Closures will begin at 12:50pm and reopen as the bulk of the runners clear.
• A course crew vehicle will follow the runners reopening the streets.
• Six police officers will direct traffic at 5 key locations:
  • Sylvester & SW 120th
  • 16th SW and SW 160th
  • Before the s-curve on 21st SW near SW 159th.
  • SW 152nd and 20th SW
  • Ambaum & SW 151st
• Officers will move from location to location as streets reopen.
• Signage will inform traffic of current closures.

Click to download a PDF of Street Closure map.

Here are more race day details from the Cove to Clover website:

5K START LINE PARTY with LIVE ROCK BAND starts at 10:45 am: “The Throbs” will be cranking out old school rock and roll at the start line until race time.  Warm your bones rocking out to covers of Nirvana, AC/DC, Scorpions and other eye-popping ROCK!!!  Come early and avoid the last minute shuttle rush.

Coffee provided by Burien Press.  After you wake, come meet the snake.

5K Race (race starts @ 1 pm sharp)

Start Line @ Normandy Park CC “The Cove”

Registration/Packet Pickup from 10:45 am – 12:30 pm @ The Cove

Family Race (race starts @ 1:40 pm sharp) Start Line @ St. Francis Church

Registration/Packet Pickup from 11 am – 1:15 pm @ St. Francis Church

1 mile-ish.  This can be walked or run and will include people of all generations.  Hopefully we’ll have Irish Step Dance lessons prior to the start. – Pick up bib

* New * “While You Race” Childcare (11:00 am – 1:35 pm) at St. Francis Church

If you want to run the 5K but your kids aren’t ready for that level of suffering, consider checking your kids into “While You Race” Childcare at the family race start line. You can then run the first 2 miles of the 5K to the Family Race Start, grab your kids and run then run the Family Race together.  Child care provided by St. Francis Parish, extra fee may be involved.

YOU MUST CHECK OUT YOUR CHILD BEFORE FINISHING THE 5K.  It is not intended that runners finish the run and then return to claim their children.  Due to the tight schedule, this service is for families with children who plan to run the Family Race.

If you do the math, you’ll need to be able to run the first 2 miles in 30 minutes to pickup your child in time for the Family Race.  Shuttle from the finish line, will stop drop you at St. Francis to check in your kids.  Then you can re-board the shuttle to be taken to the 5K start line (the Cove).

Finish Line Irish Festival (1:00 – 5 pm) at Burien Town Square

You can enjoy the whole show from the beer garden (or free root beer garden for the kiddies).   Mick Kelly’s will be serving up traditional Irish grub outside in the square (as well as inside the pub).

Mick Kelly’s Beer Garden 1-5 pm

Goodie Gumdrops Rootbeer Garden 1-5 pm

Mick Kelly’s Irish Comfort Food 1-5 pm outside, late as you like inside the pub.

The Haggis Brothers 2-5 pm

A very lively Irish band will be bringing you the old favorite but keeping you hopping.

Momentum Irish Dancers 3-3:40 pm
Demonstration of traditional step dancing from Burien’s own Irish Dance academy.  After performing a few numbers, join the pros for a free lesson (all welcome, young and old alike).

We’ll have Photographers stationed at the starting line, as well as on Snake Hill and at the finish line, attempting to take pics of as many runners as we can (be sure to grimace dramatically for us!), and we’ll also be posting race results as soon as we know them from our “live blogging” table in Mick Kelly’s.

In addition, as a gift to everyone participating in this worthy fundraiser, we’ll be posting all pics shot online in high-res for FREE access, so be sure to check The B-Town Blog Sunday evening for the link!

Cove to Clover race organizer John Nelson shows his disapproval of "The Snake" during Friday night's Pub Crawl. Photo by Scott Schaefer.