On Thursday, Jan. 17, a press conference was held at Dick’s Drive-In’s new Kent location, regarding how Sound Transit has identified it – along with the rest of the Midway Shopping Center – as one of few potential sites that may ultimately be acquired to build their south Operations and Maintenance Facility.

The new Dick’s just opened on Dec. 12, 2018, yet Sound Transit apparently wants to raze the new burger joint and build a facility in its place.

“We echo others who have shared with you their support for the Midway Landfill as a much more suitable alternative site,” Dick’s said in a statement. “We cannot say it better than the Mayors of Kent and Federal Way, along with the City Manager of Des Moines did in their letter to you earlier this month:

“… siting this project on the landfill has the potential to provide a future for land that has almost no other possible use, thereby providing a regional solution to a regional issue. Not only would this action put an otherwise blighted, publicly- owned property to productive use, but it would also avoid the needless condemnation of private property and unnecessary displacement of significant economic activity.

Jasmine Donovan, Executive Vice President and granddaughter of namesake and co-founder Dick Spady spoke, along with Kent Mayor Dana Ralph – watch the video below (running time 18:41):

The Kent City Council this week also passed an ordinance prohibiting transit operations and maintenance facilities on these properties, yet while specifically encouraging them to use the Midway Landfill site to the south.

In accordance with Washington State law, a public hearing must take place within 60 days, and is currently scheduled for the Kent city council meeting on Feb. 5, 2019.

Residents and Dick’s fans are encouraged to attend this meeting.

“All friends of Dick’s Drive-Ins should put this meeting on their calendars and plan to give your input at the meeting.”

All are also invited to email members of the Sound Transit Board with their comments at:

[email protected]

Dick’s is located at 24220 Pacific Highway South on Kent’s West Hill:

Scott Schaefer

Founder/Publisher/Editor. Three-time National Emmy Award winning Writer (“Bill Nye the Science Guy”), Director, Producer, Journalist and more...