[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified resident, and in response to another Letter we published. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of South King Media, nor its staff:]
Stephen,
Thank you for taking the time to share with me your views of how the property should be leased.
Burien CARES, nor myself, put the said property up for lease, it was the Burien City Council. Burien Cares just responded to the open call for people / companies to lease the property; as I understand they had 4 potential leases. I am glad they picked CARES over potentially others that might not made it a Dog Park but maybe something else.
The Downtown area is in need of a dog park, it is really what this little grassy area was used for in the past and was always referenced to as a Dog Park. We are just in the negotiating part of this and I am not aware yet of what the expectations are from the city. At this time I have no clue what this lease would look like or entail. Once it is determined then a separate, independent fundraiser will be put in place, similar to the current dog park on SW 160th, which currently resides under Burien CARES as well. The intention is to get outside funding to help transform this into a dog park, not touching our reserve or our day to day operating budget.
As for the unhoused individuals currently living on this piece of land, it is my understanding the City staff and Council are working extremely hard to find them a more suitable place to reside as a downtown location is not ideal for them and their safety.
I understand your concern, and thank you for taking the time to reach out to us.
– Debra George
Burien / Des Moines C.A.R.E.S.
Director
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have an opinion you’d like to share with our highly engaged local Readers? If so, please email your Letter to the Editor to [email protected] and, pending review and verification that you’re a real human being, we may publish it. Letter writers must use their full names and cite sources – as well as provide an address and phone number (NOT for publication but for verification purposes).
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