Special To The Times/News
A King County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Burien Aug. 5 in the city's lawsuit against a downtown property owner over land for Town Square streets and public space.
The property, owned by the Strobel Family Trust, is the site of Meal Makers restaurant east of Fourth Avenue Southwest between Southwest 150th and Southwest 152nd streets.
Judge Michael Heavey found that acquisition of the property owned by Strobel Family Trust is in the public interest and that the property will be put to public use.
The city is working with Urban Partners, a private developer, on the Town Square project to revitalize downtown Burien with a mix of housing, retail, open space and other uses.
After the city and Strobel Family Trust were unable to reach an agreement over the disposition of the property, on which the Meal Makers restaurant operates, the city filed suit earlier this year to obtain the land through eminent domain.
At the court hearing, David Hancock, attorney for Kevin Fitz, owner of Meal Makers Restaurant, withdrew his client's objection to the city's case and expressed Fitz's support for the Town Square project.
After the ruling, Burien City Manager Gary Long declared, "The court decision today is a significant milestone in realizing the city's vision for our town center.
"The city will work cooperatively with Mr. Fitz on his future business decisions for Meal Makers restaurant."
Earlier, the city offered to relocate Meal Makers at the corner of Southwest 152nd Street and Sixth Avenue Southwest after that street is extended to the east.
"The city is gratified with the judge's ruling today," added Mayor Noel Gibb.
"The Town Square project will revitalize Burien's downtown, and I know we all look forward to taking the next steps."
The Burien City Council approved in June a $135 million Town Square project agreement with Urban Partners.
Public/private development plans for Town Square include public open space, a new city hall/King County Regional Library, streets to connect with the nearby transit center, and condominiums/rental housing/townhouses, retail and other commercial uses, as well as a possible multiplex theater.
