Burien council backs staff pursuit of federal grant to weatherproof Townsquare Park for year‑round markets

The Burien City Council on Feb. 10 unanimously authorized staff to apply for up to $3 million in federal directed spending to add weatherproof covering and family amenities around Townsquare Park as a proof‑of‑concept for a future international public market.

Chris Craig, the city's economic development manager, described a scaled project that could add semi‑permanent weather protection over the street area used for the city's farmers market, room for vendor stalls and new family amenities such as a playground. The initiative grows from a Port of Seattle and King County feasibility study that identified Burien among three South King County cities with local interest in an international public market.

"This investment would make the street more viable for year‑round public markets, via additional weather protection and also provide additional family friendly amenities," Craig told the council, adding that the proposed federal request would be used to design and build initial infrastructure and to recruit regional market operators.

City lobbyist Jake Johnson told the council the funding fits Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) eligibility at the federal level and that a successful award would leave the city three years to obligate the funds. The grant would require a 20 percent non‑federal match: for a $3 million federal award that would translate to $600,000 of local or partner match. Craig said potential match could include in‑kind city staff time, the value of right‑of‑way dedicated to the project and possible contributions from King County or the Port of Seattle.

Council members praised the approach as a pragmatic, smaller first step toward a larger, costlier market concept while asking about operating costs and site options. Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore called the idea "nimble and creative" and asked whether the city could meet the 20 percent match without creating a new budget obligation. Craig said staff would compile match sources if the award was made and aim for materials and design choices that limit ongoing maintenance costs.

Councilmember Hugo Garcia suggested the city consider submitting the application with two possible locations — the downtown Townsquare Park site and an alternative in Boulevard Park — to increase flexibility and competitiveness; staff said they selected Townsquare because the city already owns or controls the street and park resources needed to stage markets and to reduce project uncertainty.

After questions and discussion, a council motion supporting the staff application passed unanimously.