Help BAT survive!

As you may have heard, in executive session (closed to the public) the Burien City Council supported the termination of the leases of all seven nonprofits in the Burien City Annex. This includes Burien Actors Theatre (BAT).
BAT intends to fight to stay alive.
If you could write a letter to the Burien City Council, that would be great.  Here is the email address:  council@burienwa.gov Below is an example of a wonderful letter.  
On December 9, 2019, BAT was given until January 31 to vacate its home of 40 years. Just over 7 weeks is simply not enough time for BAT or the other Annex nonprofits to find and move into affordable space that will allow us to continue our services or find and move into storage for our equipment, etc.  
 
We are also asking people to come to the Burien City Council meeting this Monday, December 16 to make sure the City Council really hears the support for and importance of all of the nonprofits in the Annex.  People can speak, bring signs and/or just be there to support BAT and the other nonprofits.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166 / phone (206) 241-4647.  Those who want to speak at the meeting should probably be there between 6 and 6:30 to sign up to speak.  Hopefully, there will be many.  The Council may limit the number of speakers so they can accomplish the work they need to do that night.
We ask that people take a respectful but impassioned approach.  We want people to be sympathetic to our struggle and not be put off by name-calling or anything similar.
 
EXAMPLE LETTER:
December 13, 2019

Brian J. Wilson and fellow members of the Burien City Council:

I hope this email finds you well during the busy holiday season. Thank you for spending your valuable time to read this email and consider it’s contents. 

I am writing in regards to the closing of the Annex Theatre building, home of the Burien Actors Theatre.

It is apparent that you care very deeply for the safety and well being of your citizens. I do not envy the weight you must carry from making the tough decision to close this building. 

In reading your statement regarding the building closure, I noticed the claim that “…the Annex presents no immediate health, life, and safety danger.”

If this is true, this brings your decision for the timing of the building closure into question. As a city that claims to “celebrate arts and culture,” I am struggling to understand the basis for the timing of your eviction. If there is no immediate danger present, as you say, I beg you to give the tenants more time to relocate. Giving the tenants until the end of June would allow planning time to secure alternate venues, allow smooth transitions as well as show that you do indeed care about the arts and culture in your community. You stated that you will be “making every effort to help find a new location.” I would love to see an extension of the lease as a fulfillment of that promise. 

If the statement that “…the Annex presents no immediate health, life, and safety danger” is not true, I ask for some transparency in your decision-making process. With accurate and honest information, the citizens of Burien and tenants of the building can make informed decisions moving forward about their place in the Burien community.

Once again, thank you for your time, consideration, and putting the needs of your citizens and community first. 

Sincerely,