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Foster/Tukwila: Monthly Update Archives
June 2007
The City of Tukwila is at a crossroads regarding the Tukwila Village project.
A number of development plans have been presented to the Tukwila City Council
since they purchased property on International Boulevard approximately seven
years ago. The City recently hired Ron Sher, owner of Crossroads Mall and Third
Place Books, to conduct a feasibility study. He presented a comprehensive development
plan that includes the Tukwila Library as a cornerstone of a commercial, retail
and residential development. During the two hearings on this proposal, the
preponderance of input from the community is for the Council to make a decision
to move forward. Business owners and residents of the surrounding area are
anxious for this kind of project, which would improve the area and add value
to their properties. The School District is interested in acquiring the current
library so we were able to indicate our support.
April 2007
The Tukwila Village project is heating up. The City of Tukwila has engaged Ron Sher (who owns Crossroads and Third Place Books) to come up with a plausible scenario for the property the City owns on Highway 99 (west of the current Foster Library). Sher will make a presentation to the City Council in May. In the initial discussions about this project, KCLS was a centerpiece of the mixed use development. The City would also like to see this project revitalize the neighborhood, which is located a few blocks away from the Sound Transit Station on Pacific Highway.
November 2006
KCLS staff participated in a planning session with Tukwila’s Mayor, several Tukwila City administrators and developer Ron Sher (who was hired to develop a plan for the property the City acquired along International Boulevard). The developer has plans that call for a new library to be the anchor of a mixed-use development. He will present this plan to the City Council in 2007. The current Foster Library will likely be sold. Several months ago, staff met with the Tukwila Library Advisory Board and Mayor about this project. At that time, staff indicated there would be no change in library service until this project was more defined. KCLS’ agreement with the City of Tukwila calls for KCLS to maintain operations at the Tukwila Library through November 2006. Although use of the Tukwila Library continues to be relatively low, there’s
no reason to make any changes in the coming year.
May 2006
The City of Tukwila has spent about $4 million to purchase and clean-up
property that was supposed to be Tukwila Village on International Boulevard.
The project has languished as the City has not been sure about how to proceed
in light of the project developers’ reluctance to proceed. Apparently, market conditions are such that a mixed commercial, office and residential project at this location will not work at this time. KCLS offered to build a new library on a portion of the City’s
land in such a way that future development of the residential or commercial
property could take place. That offer was prompted by information that the
Tukwila School District is interested in purchasing the current library. The
City has not formally responded to that inquiry; however, the Mayor and City
staff has expressed some interest in joining with KCLS and other private partners
to engage in preliminary design work for the property.
August 2006
The City of Bellevue is interested in a joint planning effort for Ashwood Park and the Bellevue Regional Library. Instead of waiting for them to fund the master plan in their 2007 budget, KCLS agreed to begin the study later this year. KCLS plans to increase parking and meeting room space at the Bellevue Regional Library. The City is considering a more developed park, a community center and/or increased parking. We also agreed with the City Manager that the disposition of the Lake Hills Library would not be linked to development at the Bellevue Regional Library.