By Eric Mathison

My computer tells me “whither” means ”to what place” or “into what state.”

Let’s discuss this week—Whither, Burien?

In other words, with inevitable growth and an almost certain future “discovering” of Burien what do we want our town to be like in the future.

In an earlier column, I charged that the city of Seattle is trying to commit livability suicide for its middle class residents. I cited outrageous housing prices, threats against single-family zoning and possible new restrictions on parking.

I also took a bemused shot at formerly bedraggled Seattle neighborhoods that suddenly are trendy.

I characterized the old West Seattle as a place populated by retired workers who had never got out and young marrieds planning their escape. Belltown was where you picked up day help at the Millionaires Club.

Georgetown was where Boeing employees moved to cold-water flats after their ex-wives hired merciless divorce attorneys. South Lake Union was a parking lot for Seattle Times staffers. As for the old Scandinavian hotbed of Ballard, I could only manage, “Ya sure, ya betcha.”

I wanted to illustrate that areas like Burien can improve their reputations. Admittedly, I also wanted to get a rise out of relatives and friends smugly living in those now hot neighborhoods.

I concluded that between Seattle’s attempted suicide and Burien’s rising attractiveness, it is inevitable some now living in Seattle or those eyeing Seattle will instead choose Burien.

As an example—a young couple, both active in the Seattle arts and culture scene and living in a Fremont condo, started looking for house with a yard and garden when their daughter arrived. Friends proposed the usual fashionable neighborhoods. A wise real estate agent suggested Burien. They fell in love with it.

The wife, Andrea Reay, as executive director of Discover Burien, is now the city’s biggest booster.

So as more people discover Burien to what place or into what state do we want it to evolve?

Change is hard but also can be good.

An influx of young, educated, professionals from neighborhoods north of us can only be a positive for Burien. We are becoming a place where it is possible to work, eat, and play while seldom needing a car.

There are a surprising number of condos and apartments near downtown Burien with more coming.

But they are not for everyone.

When Marge and I recently decided to move, we toured a few Town Square condos. The concept of being able to cross the street for coffee, browse three independent bookstores and stroll to nearby restaurants and bars was very tempting. I imagined taking an elevator down to the Thursday farmers market or crossing the park to the library.

But finally, we decided we preferred a quieter, leafier-landscaped neighborhood near the water.

The appeal of Burien’s traditional neighborhoods is why the town boasts so many second, third and even fourth generation families among its residents.

Another advantage we want to keep as an interesting and lively city is diversity—not just ethnic diversity but economic diversity. That’s something those rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods are losing.

Admittedly, Burien has challenges.

It used to be we talked about correcting the false perception that Burien has a high crime rate. Now we talk about how to lower Burien’s high crime rate.

City staff and Burien old-timers worry about lack of parking. Merchants worry about the high cost of providing parking.

We may all agree about what to do about the homeless in Burien right after we reach consensus on the problems in the Middle East.

We need to work together. And we need a city council focused on the real problems instead of being bogged down in the endless trivia of policy, procedure and personalities.

In the end, I think what we want for the future is a city with choices—the advantages of suburbia with the amenities of an urban area.

That’s my vision for whither, Burien.

Eric Mathison is a former editor of the Highline Times. He can be reached care of Ken Robinson at kenr@robinsonnews.com.