Encouraging lawmakers "not to give up on downtown, not to give up on Urban Partners and not to give up on Burien real estate," two Los Angeles developers have presented a proposal to build a 10-screen cineplex in Burien's Town Square.

At the Nov. 2 Burien City Council meeting, Paul Keller, managing principal of Urban Partners, and Frank Rimkus, president and CEO of Los Angeles-based Galaxy Theatres walked council members through a few of the site plans under consideration for the theatre.

Urban Partners has not decided on which parcel the theatre will be built and its orientation to adjacent properties.

But regardless of its location within Town Square, the theatre will include retail, on-site parking and open space. In addition, the theatre will provide a variety of different sized cinemas, all of which feature stadium-style seating.

The presentation emphasized Galaxy's business philosophy of social entrepreneurship and forming close bonds with the communities where its theatres are located.

As an example, Rimkus pointed to a recent teleconference with the international space station that Galaxy hosted for 1,200 middle school children and educators at its theatre in Gig Harbor.

This message of community involvement struck a chord with more than one council member: Councilwoman Rose Clark noted Burien's performing arts community and its need for more venues.

Deputy Mayor Sue Blazak liked the idea of a multi-purpose facility that could be used for lecture series, conferences or other events.

Urban Partners has been especially impacted by the economic downturn, which has interrupted development of the theatre.

Councilman Gordon Shaw appreciated Rimkus' upbeat message and suggested that everyone has a "financial nut they're trying to crack, but that they just don't have a choice of giving up unless they're just going to quit."

Mayor Joan McGilton chimed in, suggesting that this same attitude of "cautious optimism" is what makes Burien as strong as it is.

Once the plan has been finalized it will take 24-30 months to complete. Galaxy projects it will draw from around 130,000 people in the surrounding area and bring an additional 400,000 visitors to Burien's downtown core each year.

The council wrapped up the meeting's agenda by adopting clarifications of the city's zoning code regarding the size and allowable use of accessory structures.

For example, past code made it unclear whether a property owner could live in a garage or other accessory structure while building a house on their property.

The newly-adopted ordnance states that this is permissible under the city's code.