May 29, 2025

New tenant at Sunset Square

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Once known as Sierra Trading Post, outdoor sports retailer Sierra has announced a new store in Federal Way. It’s taking 18,000 square feet at Sunset Square, which is near Celebration Park, west of Pacific Highway South. The shopping center is owned by Portal Investment Management and the Mandalay Retail Opportunity Fund. Their brokers are Justin Holmes and Josh Parnell at First Western Properties. Terms weren’t announced. The store, which opened earlier this month, represents Sierra’s third outlet in our state. The brand is owned by TJ Maxx. Sierra’s Amanda Johnson said in a press release, “The new store will allow Federal Way residents to discover even more ways to stay active this spring without breaking the bank.” Other tenants include Safeway, Ross, Total Wine and Trader Joe’s.

Gantry lands $14M for Moses Lake lodging

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Gantry recently announced that it has arranged a $14 million refinancing package for a Best Western Plus in Moses Lake. The seven-year, fixed rate loan came from an unnamed bank. Gantry’s Drit Shoemaker led the effort, and said in a statement, “This well-maintained Best Western Plus property was facing a pending maturity after an extensive renovation completed in 2023 that led to a dramatic improvement to performance. This refreshed, high quality, lakefront property continues to see growing revenue from an increase in bookings and restaurant patronage.”

NAIOPWA lauds Bellevue builders

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The focus of our next local NAIOPWA breakfast meeting, on June 11, will be “The Women Who Build the Eastside.” NAIOP-Washington says of the event, “This dynamic event will showcase an all-star panel of women developers and builders who are reshaping the region. Hear firsthand from these trailblazers about their impact on iconic projects and get the inside scoop on groundbreaking developments that are setting new standards in the industry.” Speakers are to include Ann Bishop from Wallace Properties, Mary Fialko of Skanska (developer of The Eight office tower, pictured), Kari Magill of Rowley Properties and, from GLY, Tess Wakasugi-Don. The Meydenbauer Center gathering begins at 8 a.m. Details and registration: http://www.naiopwa.org

Tulalip Resort Casino

Tulalip Resort Casino has been awarded AAA Travel’s 2025 “Inspector’s Best of Inspected Clean” designation, placing it in the top 25% of all AAA-inspected properties in North America for cleanliness and the overall high level of condition of the property for the past two or more years.

AAA standards for cleanliness and condition have long been a foundation for the Diamond Program and Tulalip Resort Casino has earned the coveted AAA Four Diamond Rating for the past 17 consecutive years.

AAA research shows that travelers trust hotels with a high cleanliness score based on an independent, third-party inspection. Those passing the AAA Diamond inspection are “Inspected Clean,” which increases the relevance of the property’s Diamond designation.

AAA’s housekeeping evaluations include objective, scientific validation of the cleanliness of common surfaces throughout hotels. Hotels that meet AAA’s standards for cleanliness and condition with Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) surface testing are recognized as “Inspected Clean” and then assigned a Diamond designation.

May 28, 2025

DLR Group

Majerus

Kobus

Barnum

Global architecture firm DLR group, which has an office in Seattle, recently appointed three new senior principals, 27 principals, 51 senior associates and 111 associates.

The new senior principals are Don Barnum, Rick Kobus, and Jason Majerus.

Barnum is a sports architect and the firm's global sports leader. He has grown DLR's sports division from a $3 million sector to a $27 millon sector. His impact is evident in major projects such as the $270 million renovation of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and $250 million renovations underway for the University of Missouri's Memorial Stadium.

Kobus joined DLR Group in January as part of the firm's merger with Boston-based healthcare design leader, Tsoi Kobus Design. He was instrumental in establishing Tsoi Kobus Design as one of the country's leading healthcare-focused design firms, with industry leadership in medical planning and design. His team's expertise is enhancing DLR Group's global healthcare and higher education studios.

Majerus leads the firm's mechanical engineering practice. Leading multidisciplinary teams on an array of complex projects, he oversees project development, energy analysis, design engineering specifications, construction administration and commissioning. He has earned national recognition for his expertise, particularly in energy-efficient building design.

Downtown Issaquah Association

The Downtown Issaquah Association (DIA) has been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America program for making “meaningful downtown improvements using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.”

The association was among 351 programs nationwide getting Main Street's affiliate designation this year. To quality for affiliate status — Main Street America's second designation tier — is for programs or organizations that are “on the pathway to achieving meaningful economic, social, physical and organizational improvements in their downtown or commercial districts,” according to Main Street America.

The organization's top tier of recognition, or accredited status, is for programs with “a proven track record of planning, implementing and measuring results that align with the Main Street Approach.”

Langley, Sumner and Centralia's downtowns also have affiliate designation. Everett, Port Townsend, Gig Harbor and Olympia have Main Street's accredited designation. DIA's performance was evaluated through assessments conducted by the organization's personnel and board of directors, and Washington Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify local programs meeting the organization's national community evaluation standards.

May 23, 2025

Hecla Mining Co.

Gehring

Hecla Mining Co. appointed Dean Gehring to its board of directors. Gehring currently serves as a board advisor at Allonnia, a bioengineering company innovating recovery, tailings and environmental solutions for the mining industry. Over his 34-year career, he has held executive roles at leading mining companies, including chief technology officer for Newmont and president and CEO of Rio Tinto Minerals. Gehring holds a B.S. in Mining Engineering from the University of Idaho and an M.S. in Project Management from the University of Aberdeen. He has contributed to university advisory boards, co-chaired the SME Foundation Corporate Giving Committee, and received both the SME Ben F Dickerson Award and SME Fellow Award for his contributions to the mining industry. Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Co. is the largest silver producer in the United States and Canada. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America. Hecla is headquartered in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho.

Washington State Department of Ecology

The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) presented its 2025 Best of Show Silver Anvil Award to the Washington State Department of Ecology and PRR, a communications, marketing, research and digital agency, for “Use Food Well.” This comprehensive behavior-change campaign raises awareness about the impacts of food waste and encourages the adoption of small steps to inspire change. PRSA selected the Use Food Well campaign as the best from among the 158 public relations programs listed as finalists for a Silver Anvil Award. The campaign generated more than 11 million impressions and reached people across the state of Washington. Post-campaign research conducted in June 2024 found that 31 percent of respondents adopted new food waste behaviors following the Use Food Well campaign launch. Ecology launched Washington’s Use Food Well campaign in 2024 during National Food Waste Prevention Week, an initiative that helps build partnerships across the state, The campaign focused on bringing food waste prevention, education, and inspiration to thousands of Washingtonians. Use Food Well signage and information connecting people to UseFoodWell.org were displayed and available in Washington Safeway and Albertson Stores. Established in 1981, PRR is a certified women-owned business, bringing multi-disciplinary expertise in communications and outreach for the environment, healthcare, and transportation industries, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all work the agency does.

Fox Rothschild

Attorneys and staff from Fox Rothschild's Seattle office gathered at Food Lifeline, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding people experiencing hunger, to help sort and pack meals for those in need across Seattle. The volunteering event took place during the American Bar Association's Well-Being Week in Law, and went hand-in-hand with Fox's firmwide initiative, Generation Fox, which puts youth front and center in the firm's charitable giving and community involvement.