Mike Schacht tending to the pit at a regional barbecue event.

A new dining experience has arrived in the City of SeaTac – The BBQ Schacht – a new restaurant located at 19231 Des Moines Memorial Drive, which opened for business on April 12.

“The BBQ Schacht is all about serving up delicious down-home grub,” said Owner Mike Schacht. “I know the SeaTac, Des Moines, Normandy Park and Renton communities really well and I am excited to create a neighborhood destination in this area. I have always enjoyed cooking for my family and friends. This is my comfort food even though I was trained in classic French cuisine in culinary school.”

The BBQ Schacht is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

They also offer off-site catering any time, including weekends.

They smoke and cook their meats fresh each day and make their own rubs and sauces.

Keep an eye out for Mike and his barbecue pit at regional events such as the Annual International Festival in SeaTac.

“We are thrilled Mike decided to open for business in the City of SeaTac,” said Jeff Robinson, economic development manager. “It’s already proven to be a very popular destination for lunch, dinner and catered events. He has a built-in audience with the business community in the immediate neighborhood but it’s just a matter of time before barbecue lovers from other areas of the region become regulars.”

For more information, visit their website here: http://www.thebbqschacht.com.

Click image to see larger version.

Puget Sound Energy is planning a major presence – including a corporate office building and a warehouse – in Des Moines Creek Business Park at the south end of Sea-Tac International Airport.

Des Moines Mayor Dave Kaplan, speaking to the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce during the annual mayor’s luncheon last month, said the Port of Seattle was expected to announce soon that a major tenant would locate there.

The Port owns the 89-acre – and as yet undeveloped – business park, which is inside the Des Moines city limits, and operates the airport.

Kaplan did not identify this “major tenant,” but the Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC) reported in its May 4 issue that it is Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

In that story, based on documents obtained from the City of Des Moines through a public disclosure request, the DJC identifies the Benaroya Co. as developer.

Lawhead Architects of Bellevue as project designer and Barghausen Consulting Engineers of Kent is a member of the design team.

“We’re very pleased to have Puget Sound Energy locate in Des Moines,” Mayor Kaplan told The Waterland Blog on May 9.

“I think that it helps break the ice on development of the rest of Des Moines Business Park,” Kaplan added.

Earlier Wednesday, Port of Seattle aviation division spokesman Perry Cooper said Port officials won’t comment on the identity of this tenant or the development plans “until every I is dotted and every t crossed.”

Port commissioners are expected to finalize details at their “first or second meeting in June,” after which an announcement will be made, he said, with groundbreaking then anticipated in the near future.

“The city is very excited, the Port is very excited, the tenant is very excited,” Cooper said.

According to the DJC report, Benaroya plans to develop a 242,000-square-foot warehouse, a five-story, 125,000-square-foot office building, and a smaller building and storage yards for PSE.

The project site will occupy about 50 acres in the business park at S. 208th St. and 24th Ave. S. – with the development is listed at $44.2 million, the article said.

PSE will relocate some facilities there from SeaTac, Kent and Renton because of the central location of the business park in the Puget Sound region, it also noted.

Once a residential neighborhood in Des Moines, the Port purchased the area that is now designated for a business park in the 1990s as part of its noise-abatement program for the airport.

In 2008, a Southern California developer was picked by the Port to plan the business park, but those preliminary plans were scrapped and that developer withdrew in the wake of the economic downturn.

Link:

• City of Des Moines website on Des Moines Creek Business Park

In a pre-opening celebration held May 9, 2012 the Port of Seattle dedicated the new Consolidated Rental Car Facility located on International Boulevard at State Route 518.

After brief speeches from key people involved in the construction project, a large banner was unrolled and subsequently “cut” by one of the Port’s new shuttle buses.

The newly completed 23 acre facility will house all of the car rental operations for Sea-Tac International Airport, freeing up 3,200 parking spaces in the airport parking garage.

The five story structure can accomodate 5,400 rental vehicles and process 12,000 to 14,000 rental cars on a peak day.

Facilities to wash, vacuum and re-fuel the rental fleet are located onsite.

A fleet of 29 new compressed natural gas-powered shuttle buses will transport passengers between the main terminal at the airport and the Rental Car Facility.

A central goal of the project was to produce a green building. The Rental Car Facility met that goal in April 2012 when it received LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This is the largest consolidated rental car facility in the country to receive this rating.

The new Rental Car Facility will officially open to the public on May 17, 2012.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the dedication ceremony by photographer Michael Brunk. You can click individual images to view large versions.

Click image to see larger version.

There is less than one month until Opening Day at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market (sister site The Waterland Blog is a Sponsor), and what a day Saturday, June 2 will be – in its new location at the remodeled north end of the Des Moines Marina!

Coming off its most successful seasons in history (up 30% each of the past two years), the Market will have a new look during its seventh season, having outgrown the old space in the South Marina Park and moving into a true waterfront spot.

The word “Waterfront” in its name will be prominent as the location is right on the water where guest yachts are moored. Look for the new Boardwalk Bistro where you will be able to enjoy your favorite market foods while watching all the boating activities.

“Along with your favorite returning farmers, food and craft vendors, there will lots of new ones like Seattle Bagel and Total Europe, serving soups, hot dogs and sausages,” said Rikki Marohl, market manager. “Also new this year will be a Des Moines favorite, Auntie Irene’s, serving ice cream.”

The market again will feature its own wines, including last year’s favorite Waterfront White.

Opening Day activities will include a military color guard ceremony, presenting the emblem (US Flag). Other opening activities include classic cars on display, the Des Moines Arts Commission will be showcasing some local artists, radio station WARM 106.9 will be doing a remote broadcast and your pals at The Waterland Blog will be blogging live.

Don’t forget to bring your old musical instruments and donate them to the Rotary Music4Life program. They will be at the market the first three weekends in June. The program refurbishes the instruments and gives them to the Highline School students who can’t afford them.

Wayne Corey, Board President, recently commented on the upcoming season:

“We are really excited about the move to the North end of the Marina, as it will allow us to grow and expand, provide for more conveniences for shoppers and gives us greater flexibility every Saturday thru October.”

To keep up with all the current happenings at the market, please log onto the web site and sign up for our e-newsletter that comes out once a week. You can also keep up on the activities by frequently visiting The Waterland Blog!

The market will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. until the end of October.

Here’s a video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

See you on OPENING DAY!

The Port of Seattle announced Monday (May 7) that there will be two scheduled temporary closures of runways for pavement work this summer at Sea-Tac Airport.

The scheduled dates are May 14 – June 20 and July 20 – August 8.

“The closures will address ramp, taxiway and runway pavement improvements as well as the relocation of Federal Aviation Administration antennae,” reads an announcement.

The runway closure will not affect airline flight schedules or passengers.

All air traffic will be directed to the two open runways during the projects. Construction work will be done during daytime hours to reduce noise impacts to area neighborhoods during the evening. The timing also takes advantage of construction season weather to reduce the total time of the closures.

During the closure, airport neighbors may notice increased noise associated with changes in runway use.

• May 14 – June 20 Closure Details
  Runway 16L-34R (the longest runway and closest to the terminal) will be closed during this period for taxiway and ramp pavement improvements as well the relocation of FAA Instrument Landing (ILS) Localizer antennas. These projects have been coordinated to proceed together to reduce the length of the closure.
• July 20 – August 8 Closure Details
  Runway 16C-34C will be closed during this period to replace deteriorating concrete surface panels. This work will allow the continued safe operation of the runway until full reconstruction slated for 2016. Approximately 19 panels will be replaced. This number represents less than one percent of the approximately 4,000 concrete panels that make up the center runway.

Runway 16C/34C was originally constructed in 1969, with a 20-year design life. The Port began a Runway Improvement Program in 1994 to rehabilitate and extend the useful life of the runway. More than 650 concrete panels have been replaced since the beginning of the program.

The cost of the project is anticipated to be approximately $662,000.

SeaTac United FC and SeaTac Parks and Recreation are offering two youth soccer programs – the Spring Academy and Summer Street Soccer.

SeaTac United FC is striving to create a SeaTac soccer culture for our community.

“Our mission is to provide affordable, top quality soccer and developmental programs to the children of SeaTac, and foster cooperation between families, cultures, and local organizations,” reads an announcement. “SeaTac United FC and SeaTac Parks and Recreation are striving to keep costs low. Coerver Coaching, the #1 soccer skills program, is providing our desired ‘top quality.’ Coerver will train our kids for one day each week during the SeaTac United Academy. Coerver will also train our volunteer coaches. This will go a long way toward establishing the SeaTac Soccer Culture.”

Below is their program information. Sign up by going to their website – www.seatacunited.org – or by following the directions on their flyer. Space is limited, so please sign up right away.

Here’s more info:

SeaTac United Spring Academy 2012
SeaTac Parks and Recreation invites you to join SeaTac United Football Club’s Spring Academy (Class #9470, $75) where soccer players of all ability levels, boys and girls grades 1-6, can develop their soccer ability and personal drive to improve. The program does not worry about wins and losses, so it can focus on the individual player needs. All are welcome!

SeaTac United, in association with Coerver® Coaching (recognized as “the world’s #1 soccer skills teaching method”), offers a unique combination of weekly Coerver® training days and small-sided game days that will help your young player build soccer skills, sportsmanship, and love of the game.

Our program focuses on skills development in a fun, supportive environment. Players will receive an academy shirt. All players must wear cleats, shin guards and black shorts and socks to each session.

The SeaTac United Spring Academy 2012 program runs from June 4th through July 12, 2012 (6 Weeks).

Skills development (Coerver Coaching) Mondays from 5-6pm at Valley Ridge Park.

Small-sided matches (Parent Coaching) Thursdays from 5-6pm at Valley Ridge Park.

SeaTac United Summer Street Games 2012
SeaTac Parks and Recreation invites you to join SeaTac United Football Club’s Summer Street Game days (Class #9471, $45) where soccer players of all ability levels, boys and girls grades 1-6, can join small-sided matches in a fun environment to exercise and develop their soccer abilities. The program is 100% game days allowing players to be creative and enjoy soccer! SeaTac United’s small-sided games will help your young player build their soccer skills and sportsmanship.

Our program focuses on skills development in a fun, supportive environment. Players will receive a SeaTac United Academy shirt. All players must wear cleats, shin guards and black shorts and socks to each session. Small-sided matches held on Mondays.

The SeaTac United Summer Street Games 2012 program runs from July 23rd through August 27th, 2012 (6 Weeks).

Reserve your spot NOW! Registration discount available when combined with SeaTac United’s Spring Academy program (Class #9472, $105).

STB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s Open House for this week is a well cared-for 3-bedroom rambler priced to sell at just $189,000.

Hardwood floors are hidden under the carpets, except in the kitchen.

The private backyard is mostly fenced with a huge hedge, patio, a moveable shed and room for an RV.

Here are the details:

WHEN: Sunday, May 6 from 1pm – 4pm.

WHERE: 12245 3rd Ave SW, Burien, WA 98146

INFO:

• List Price: $189,000
• Listing #: 350510
• Beds: 3
• Baths: 1
• Year Built: 1962
• Approximate House SqFt: 1,260
• Lot Square Footage: 6,760

Interior Features:

• Cable TV
• Fenced-Partially
• RV Parking

Marketing Remarks:

Well cared for rambler, hardwoods under carpet except kitchen, generous cupboard space (BIRCH?), living room with fireplace, doublepane windows, 1″ siding, roof 8-10 yrs, mostly fenced with huge hedge in back for privacy, patio, shed on skids/pallets (moveable), workshop, storage shop for those garden tools, carport could converted, mainly used as sitting/visiting area, parking for boat/rv + rv dump, home warranty using MARINE VIEW escrow,FIDELITY TITLE, curtains/drapes go with seller, apps/nego.

Click here to see the full, detailed listing.

Click here to view all of Prudential Northwest’s Open Houses.

If you drove past Sea-Tac International Airport on Saturday afternoon, you might have noticed a bit of excitement happening along International Boulevard.

The occasion was a rally and march in support of fair wages for airport and Port of Seattle workers.

Organized by OneAmerica and Working Washington, the event celebrated International Workers’ Day with a rally at the Sea-Tac Airport International Flag Pavilion and then a march down International Boulevard to Angle Lake Park.

Speakers at the rally included Congressman Adam Smith and King County Councilmember Julia Patterson.

The highlight of the rally was a series of talks by airport workers explaining the issues they face at work. The basic refrain was one that is becoming increasingly familiar… poverty-level wages, lack of benefits including affordable health care, and a sense that in a time of record corporate profits workers are being left out of that success.

In the words of Marine Corps veteran and airport worker Alex Popescu, “It’s appalling that I have to choose between filling my gas tank or feeding my family.”

Speakers and organizers singled out Alaska Airlines for special attention, suggesting that the airline has a great deal of influence over working conditions at Sea-Tac Airport.

The hundreds of attendees marched by the corporate headquarters on the way to Angle Lake Park.

A demonstration is planned at the Museum of Flight on May 15 during the Alaska Airlines Shareholder Meeting.

Photographer Michael Brunk attended Saturday’s rally and march and shot the following photos. You can click individual images to view them larger.

“She was in a fight with a pit bull a few weeks ago, has shaved spots on her body and no collar,” said PJ Seidenstricker. “She may be in heat.”

Please note that no photo was available of this dog.

If you see her or have her please call 206-243-2160. There is a Reward.

View Larger Map

STB Real Estate Sponsor Prudential Northwest’s Open House for this week is a great Seahurst home located close to a park, schools and busline.

With newer vinyl windows and siding and a newer carpet, this home also has a large master bedroom, charming breakfast nook and a large backyard!

Here are the details:

WHEN: Sunday, April 29 from 1pm – 4pm.

WHERE: 14613 11th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166

INFO:

• List Price: $179,000
• Listing #: 63468
• Beds: 3
• Baths: 1
• Year Built: 1942
• Approximate House SqFt: 1,150
• Lot Square Footage: 7,800

Interior Features:

• Dble Pane/Strm Windw
• Dining Room

Marketing Remarks:

Great Seahurst home located close to park, schools and busline.

Newer vinyl windows and siding. Newer carpet.

Wood burning fireplace with new mantle and surround.

Large master bedroom.

Charming breakfast nook has crown molding and large windows. Detached garage connected by a breezeway plus storage shed.

Backyard is large, flat and private.

Home has additional 360 sq. ft. cellar.

Click here to see the full, detailed listing.

Click here to view all of Prudential Northwest’s Open Houses.