FW Council: City may form HR department, can go to bid for Target demolition

The council also proclaimed Jan. 13 as Korean American Day in Federal Way.

By Alex Bruell • January 5, 2023 5:30 am
Public Works Development Services Manager Cole Elliott gives a presentation on the increase of oversize- and overweight-loaded vehicles in Federal Way in recent years, many of those vehicles travelling on non-designated truck routes which increases wear-and-tear of city infrastructure. An ordinance in the works would seek to work cooperatively with haulers to minimize that damage. Photo by Bruce Honda
Public Works Development Services Manager Cole Elliott gives a presentation on the increase of oversize- and overweight-loaded vehicles in Federal Way in recent years, many of those vehicles travelling on non-designated truck routes which increases wear-and-tear of city infrastructure. An ordinance in the works would seek to work cooperatively with haulers to minimize that damage. Photo by Bruce Honda

The Federal Way City Council on Jan. 3 took a big step toward tearing down the dilapidated former Target building and forwarded a few items on city code for a second reading at the next meeting Jan. 17.

Among those items, which the council may adopt at their next meeting, is a proposal to add weight and load regulations to prevent wear-and-tear on city streets from oversized vehicles and an ordinance to formally create a Human Resources department for the city.

In downtown news, the council on Tuesday also unanimously authorized the city to go out for bids on a project to demolish the former Target building downtown. The city purchased the property in 2014, and has determined that it is too damaged to be salvaged — and that it would be cheaper to simply raze the building and start over rather than try to rehabilitate it.

The cost for demolishing the obsolete building is estimated at $600,000, and the city spends an estimated $60,000 per year maintaining the property, including trash and graffiti abatement, security and landscaping, according to city estimates. This action doesn’t authorize the demolition of the building just yet; it just means the city can now seek bids from contractors to do so.

Also on Tuesday, the council:

Honored former Auburn mayor and Federal Way Mirror columnist Bob Roegner for his contributions to the community with a Key to the City.

Proclaimed Jan. 13 as Korean American Day in Federal Way.

Unanimously confirmed Keith Niven as the city’s Community Development Director. Niven held the same position at the city of Issaquah prior to coming to Federal Way and has more than 20 years of planning experience, according to the city. Niven takes over for Brian Davis, who was recently promoted to City Administrator.

For your calendar:

Jan. 14: The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Event and Food Drive begins at 11 a.m. at the Performing Arts and Event Center (PAEC).

Jan. 21: The Federal Way City Council embarks on their annual retreat at Dumas Bay Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the meeting, during which the council plans to discuss city council rules and the future of the city’s downtown.

Feb. 16: Mayor Ferrell delivers his State of the City address at the PAEC at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30.

Councilmember Hoang Tran, who was feeling ill, was excused from the meeting Tuesday. Councilmembers Jack Walsh and Erica Norton joined the meeting remotely.