Proposed Business Park in Des Moines spurs grassroots movement to save green space

A grassroots movement has emerged in Des Moines as local residents rally against the proposed development of a 402,380-square-foot business park on 30 acres of green space that is home to forests, wetlands, and wildlife.

The proposed Des Moines Creek West Business Park project at 1432 S. 216th Street (map below), which is part of a lease agreement between the Port of Seattle and a California-based developer, would result in the removal of over 500 trees, rerouting of streams, and construction of a massive industrial facility.

Community members are voicing strong opposition, citing environmental, health, and recreational concerns.

“This property is an emerald jewel, actively working to protect the health of our frontline community who sit right under the Sea-Tac flight path,” said Sandy Hunt from the Defenders of Highline Forest. “If these trees are removed, even more vaporized jet fuel and ultrafine particles will find their way into our lungs and those of our kids.”

“When I received the proposal in the mail on July 8th about the City of Des Moines allowing the removal of 11,938 sq. ft. of wetlands to build a 402,380 sq. ft industrial building, I knew it was time to act,” community member Jenny Russo said. “I sent a call to action in the community group to join the Port of Seattle meeting on 7/9 to appeal the decision. No one knew about the proposal and many showed up to ask the Port of Seattle to not move forward with this. Since then, we have been trying to save the 500 trees that help keep the jet fuel and noise down as well as house the animals that are remaining. I live in the direct flight path of 2 runways and, the noise all day is already unbearable. We hope the community will band together to help us save the trees, meadows and wetlands of this beautiful parkland. We want you to know that you would be helping save the environment and a gem in the Des Moines community!”

Online Petition Started

The community petition, which has garnered hundreds of signatures, is calling on the City of Des Moines to halt the development and preserve the green space as a public park.

Petitioners express concerns over plans to fill wetlands and reroute a stream, highlighting the vital role wetlands play in water filtration, flood control, and as a habitat for local wildlife. The petition emphasizes the risks posed to biodiversity, including the potential loss of an owl family and other species dependent on the wetlands.

In addition to environmental concerns, petitioners argue that the project would harm the natural beauty and recreational value of the Des Moines Creek Trail, a beloved community space. They urge the City of Des Moines to reconsider the development in favor of alternative plans that protect the wetlands and maintain the area’s natural and recreational assets for future generations.

“We will be losing two trails, both with free parking, that are the only access to the DM Creek trail since both lead to the only bridge over the creek,” resident Kathy McDonald said. “The proposed replacement will be a walk along busy 216th and into the business park. It’s not the same experience.”

Residents are also concerned about the health impacts on the surrounding communities, many of which are under the flight path of Sea-Tac Airport. Eileen Lambert, a local birder and naturalist, expressed her worry about the loss of habitat for endangered bird species and the potential impact on vulnerable communities.

“The impending loss of 500 trees that cool our cities and filter our air would be both detrimental to our plant and wildlife, as well as to my fellow underrepresented communities most heavily impacted by the loss of urban greenspaces,” Lambert said.

Open House is this Saturday, Sept. 21

An open house and action event is planned for this Saturday, Sept. 21, at 3 p.m., in front of 21205 15th Ave S. across from the 15th Street entrance to the Des Moines Creek Trail. Residents are also preparing to attend the Des Moines City Council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26 to rally and voice their opposition before the council votes on a related driveway purchase for the project.

While the Port of Seattle has moved forward with plans for the business park, the City of Des Moines has not yet granted final permits. An appeal to the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) finding of nonsignificance has been filed by community members, allowing time for public testimony during the Des Moines permitting process.

The grassroots group Save Des Moines Greenspace continues to raise awareness about the environmental and community impacts of the project. Their goal is to halt the development and ensure that the area remains a green space for public use.

Below are some reasons given by organizers on why this project should be stopped and this land given park status:

Consider the health of the communities around the airport, the ones under the flight path are the most at risk of negative health effects due to air travel: Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Developmental delays, Cognitive delays, and much more. Our children and our elders are suffering.
The trail showed up on the city’s 2016 Park Master Plan as part of the Barnes Creek Trail with no indication that the parcel would be turned into an industrial business park. Something changed, the Port acquired it and now it is under threat.
The Des Moines Water Supply in Water District 54 could be under threat due to the location of drinking water wells in relation to this development.
We encourage everyone to review the entire public record of the DM City website titled: CONSOLIDATED LIST OF COMMENTS ON SEPA MDNS.
The state claims a need to achieve Environmental Justice for overburdened communities.* But the projects in this area further reduce air quality and increase health risks; that is why the community is appealing the SEPA finding that there will be no environmentally significant impacts.
The state has designated this area as one of sixteen overburdened communities,* yet the health and welfare of these residents continue to be ignored as they suffer through the removal of thousands and thousands of mature trees due to the expansion of the Port and its facilities, the upcoming completion of the Hwy 509 extension just north of this park, and most drastically the removal of 500 trees from the forest behind their homes.