Do you need sidewalks in your neighborhood, or safe bike paths to local schools? Do the streets near your home or business need resurfacing, or are entirely new streets needed? Is using public transit convenient for you?

These are some of the many questions the city is asking residents and businesses as the Burien maps out the Burien community's transportation needs for the next decade and beyond. The city is in the process of updating its Transportation Master Plan and seeks to gather information about multi-modal transportation for all ages and abilities.

A series of meetings are being planned to gather information from the public on transportation needs in Burien. An introductory meeting is planned for Tuesday, July 19, 4 - 6 p.m., in the first floor multi-purpose room at the City Hall/library building, 400 S.W. 152nd St. Watch for notices of future meetings.

City staff seeks to learn from the public needs for multi-modal access particularly for:
* School access (safe routes to school)
* Grocery/shopping centers including food banks
* Hospitals and medical clinics
* Parks and open spaces

The information from the meetings will assist the city in its Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update that is mandated by the state under the Growth Management Act adopted by the Legislature in 1990. The TMP will be used to guide the city's transportation investments and coordinate them with Burien's adopted Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. The plan will also include the ideas formulated through strategic planning and the recently completed visioning process.

The TMP will consider possible land-use designation changes, the addition of new travel corridors and anticipated major downtown revitalization, and must guide the City in creating a transportation system that is sustainable, safe, diverse, and adequate for future growth.