Burien lawmakers are expected to vote Monday, March 28 on a plan to recycle rocks from Seahurst Park’s north seawall for a drainage system in the Northeast Redevelopment Area.
Council members will be asked to approve an agreement between the city and the Port of Seattle to store the rocks on Port property near South 144th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive.
Public Works director Larry Blanchard briefed lawmakers March 14 on the agreement.
Blanchard said recycling the rock taken from the seawall and storing it on Port property until it can be used in the redevelopment area could save the city $500,000.
Burien plans to restore the north beach to a more natural condition, as was done earlier on the south shoreline. Restoration would include removing the seawall and rocks.
Burien Mayor Joan McGilton noted that on the south shore project, the rock was transported by barge to Tacoma.
“It was very expensive,” McGilton declared.
The approximately 8,900 tons of rock would be stockpiled in a hill about four feet high by 100 feet wide and 100 feet long. Blanchard said the hill would be in an isolated portion of the Port’s property. He added that the truck haul route between the park and the dump area will be determined later. He noted the city would determine a non-disruptive route.
The recycled rock will be used for drainage in the northeast area. The city plans to redevelop the area from South 152nd Street to South 136th Street between Eighth Avenue South and Des Moines Memorial Drive as a business zone with an emphasis on airport-related uses. Staffers have also suggested moving Burien’s car dealerships from First Avenue South to Des Moines Drive.
Blanchard said the city is not ready to go ahead with the drainage system yet. The agreement between the Port and Burien would be for two years with renewals up to six years.
Councilman Gerald Robison, a real estate attorney, said he is nervous about a contract that could be canceled on short notice.
In other business, Councilman Jack Block reported that there are “good prospects” that litigation over phase one of the First Avenue renovation project is nearing resolution. He asked Blanchard how quickly work can resume on the project.
Blanchard replied that the city’s financial commitments from the litigation would have to be determined but the city has a set of plans ready for bid. He indicated the city would probably bid different parts of the project separately in order to save costs.
Council members also unanimously voted to appoint Brooks Standfield to the planning commission.
Standfield was honored March 4 as Burien’s environmental leader of the year.
He organized the bike rodeo at last year’s Wild Strawberry Festival and is an advocate for bike usage.