Special to the Times/News

A hotel, long-sought by supporters of downtown business development, may be coming to Burien.

City lawmakers were expected to consider on Aug. 15 a proposal to sell for development the vacant land at Southwest 150th Street and Second Avenue Southwest, adjacent to Washington Mutual bank.

Federal Way-based Park Hospitality Management LLC, an experienced hotel franchisee and developer, is expected to develop the site for a mix of uses, including a hotel, conference center, restaurant and condominiums.

The company's Puget Sound-area properties include a Red Lion Hotel in Tacoma and the La Quinta Hotel in Lynnwood.

"This is another 'good news' story for downtown Burien," Mayor Noel Gibb declared last week on behalf of the city council.

"The council has heard repeatedly about the need for a small hotel in Burien. This will provide more jobs, and more people living in our downtown."

The undeveloped property is currently owned by the city. It was bought in January 2003 to assist King County in the redevelopment of the Transit Center located to the west.

Council members were expected to be asked to approve the sale to Park Hospitality Management, and to authorize City Manager Gary Long to proceed with a formal sale offer and development agreement with a price of $1,012,000.

The proposed mixed use project in Burien is expected to provide an upscale small hotel with condominiums. It will also be directly connected to the Transit Center.