What’s the greatest show in town?

There’s a new contender in Burien—the City Council public comment session, 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. It’s Live! at City Hall or on government access Channel 21.

During the last episode on Oct. 1, dog owners brought their pets to the public comment session to ask lawmakers to support adding an off-leash dog park to the park board’s master plan. The owners’ comments were intermixed with occasional barks and heavy panting (from their canines.)

The upcoming show on Oct. 15 promises a choreographed dance to a re-imagined “Imagine” by John Lennon.

Perceptive audience members will correctly interpret the dance as a warning that Burien shouldn’t settle for apartments-only development in the remaining Town Square condos.

More detailed interpretation will reveal the dance calls for “a mix of retail and restaurants, maybe a boutique hotel, maybe a larger art-house movie theatre, or other regional large-draw attractions, including other arts and cultural amenities. And definitely more green space!!”

The City Council has approved a standstill agreement with Town Square developers Harbor Urban giving the city and developers until Nov. 15 to agree to an acceptable alternative to previously planned condos on the vacant portion of the development. Harbor Urban has proposed apartments for the area.

Burien Arts Commissioner Shelli Park is spearheading a newly formed community action group called “Dreaming of a Better Burien,” whose members will perform the dance.

The idea of jazzed-up public comment sessions could spread to neighboring cities such as SeaTac where citizen activist Earl Gipson complained at the Oct. 9 council meeting that public participation is waning.
In the past Gipson has done his part by staging poetry readings of his own work during public comment.

Here is Park’s “Call to Action:”

Dreaming of a Better Burien, a newly formed Community Action Group, is putting out the call for support for anyone who supports the idea that Burien cannot settle for apartments-only development in the remaining Town Square parcels. It would be unconscionable to waste precious downtown core real estate on housing only. Burien must bring in a mix of retail and restaurants, maybe a boutique hotel, maybe a larger art-house movie theatre, or other regional large-draw attractions, including other arts and cultural amenities. And definitely more green space!! Burien must have a strong, unique marketing vision for solid, long-term economic success.

If you believe that Burien needs a better plan for the remaining Town Square Parcels, please join Dreaming of a Better Burien as we make our presence known!

What: Simple choreographed dance to a re-imagined Imagine by John Lennon.
When: * First Rehearsal will be on October 14th at 3 PM at the Community Room of the Town Square Condos.
* Second Rehearsal will be on October 15th at 6 PM at the Community Room of the Town Square Condos. Then we will walk to the…
*Performance which will take place at the October 15th City Council meeting during the public comment section near the beginning.

This is for young, old and everyone in between. You don’t need to have any dance experience. You can join in the dance, or just come to support. We will have signs designating:
Artist
Arts Supporter
Dreaming of a Better Burien
Walker
Parent
Teacher
Park Supporter
Shopper
Business Owner
Or feel free to bring your own sign.

Please show up at the 6th St. entrance of the Burien Town Square Condos on October 14th at 3 PM. But, don’t worry if you can’t make the rehearsals. It is most important that you join us at the October 15th City Council meeting for the first ten minutes to show the city council that you support a more visionary approach to developing Town Square.