The nation's economic crisis has hit the development of condominiums in Burien's Town Square.

Town Square is a revitalization effort by the city of Burien, in partnership with Los Angeles-based developer Urban Partners and the King County Library District. It will include retail, restaurants, parks, a new city hall, a new library and housing.

Housing has been issue in the face of the nation's financial problems. Out of 122 condo units, a third have been sold so far.

Burien economic development director Dick Loman said sales have slowed due to the nation's economy.

"We are in an economic crisis the size and depth no one living has seen before," he said.

Due to this, Loman said the second phase of the project has been delayed until market conditions improve.

In addition, an excise tax will be collected from the condos, but that would come later than expected due to the market, he said.

Despite this issue, Loman said that Burien was in a much better financial situation than other cities.

He also said there were other aspects to downtown Burien to look forward to, such as the new city hall, library and transit center.

"We want to become an alternative place to live as well as work," Loman said.

He also pointed out the city's private developer, Urban Partners, has been diligent throughout the situation.

"Other developers have just evaporated. Some don't even answer the phone anymore," he said.

Dan Rosenfeld, principal in Urban Partners, said that the condo sales were actually better than expected.

"To sell condos before they're finished is unusual," he said.

Rosenfeld said that the Seattle and the surrounding metropolitan area - including Burien - were experiencing a fair balance in job growth and housing. Compare that with other cities that are experiencing job loss or an oversupply in housing, he said.

"Seattle is very strong relative to other parts of the country," he said.

Rosenfeld said that a positive effect of the economic crisis was that it was making people more aware of sustainability.

As for the rest of the condos, "I'm highly confident [they] will sell quickly," he said.

As for the economy: "We just have to soldier on," said Loman.

The condos range from $200,000 to $600,000. More information can be found at www.burientownsquare.com.