Federal Way reaches a monumental milestone on June 20: the 25th anniversary of the city’s incorporation.
And coinciding with the celebration is the planned redevelopment of 21 city-owned acres centered on 20th Avenue and South 316th Street, designed to renew Federal Way’s downtown for the future.
Federal Way School District is also rebuilding Federal Way High School, slated to open and welcome new students in the 2016-2017 school year.
The following provides updates on the progress of the city of Federal Way’s Performing Arts and Events Center (Town Center 1); Town Square Park (Town Center 2); Town Center on the old Target site (Town Center 3); and the school district’s high school project.
“It’s truly exciting what we’ve been able to do, moving forward together,” Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell said. “An exciting future is in store for Federal Way.”
Performing Arts and Events Center
In June of last year, the Federal Way City Council approved to move forward with construction of the $32 million, 700-seat Performing Arts and Events Center.
“This will be a regional facility for artists, performers and dramatic acts,” Ferrell said. “On the business side, it will be a great place for conventions. A hotel will be connected to it and will be complementary to the convention aspect [of the Performing Arts and Events Center].”
Construction is scheduled to begin this September, with a completion date set for December 2016/January 2017.
Ferrell said up to $19 million of the $32 million will be composed of grant money, and state and federal reimbursement funds. This summer, Ferrell will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with investors and ensure Federal Way has access to up to $10 million of New Markets Tax Credits, which will further support the cost of the Performing Arts and Events Center.
Finally, Ferrell said the City has more than $13 million available that it can loan to itself.
“We can loan this money at a low rate for three years,” Ferrell explained.
Ferrell’s Blue Ribbon Panel said any “funding gap” for the project could be bonded by the city, and would not impact any existing city services.
The Blue Ribbon Panel also said ongoing operations of the center would generate $3.2 million in spending annually and 29 new jobs.
Town Square Park
When Ferrell campaigned to be mayor, he said a significant part of his platform was supporting the creation of a city park.
Nine years ago the city purchased a four-acre parcel for $4 million. During those years, Ferrell said the lot sat vacant and $2 million to support development of the property sat untouched in an account.
In July of last year, Ferrell said the first iteration of Town Square Park was completed. It is now bustling with activity, but Ferrell said there is still more to come.
“Where once it was just a cyclone fence on 4 acres of a former movie theater site, it is now the center of our downtown,” Ferrell said. “The city has made the decision to utilize the entire four acres. It is slated to open June 2016.”
When fully realized, Town Square Park will include a “great lawn” triple in size.
A walking trail will encircle the “great lawn;” there will be a spray park, playground equipment, a covered area to provide shade, and a permanent holiday tree. There will also be a Veterans’ Memorial in the park.
“This park will be there as long as Federal Way is,” Ferrell said. “[The park is modeled after] Bryant’s Park in New York City, which is on the backside of the New York Public Library.”
Town Square Park had its grand opening on July 12, 2014. Ferrell said construction of Town Square Park phase 2 will begin June 22.
“[This park] will be the beating heart of a thriving city,” Ferrell said.
Town Center
Last November, the city purchased the 7.4-acre former Target site for $8.2 million.
The property, which abuts the future Performing Arts and Conference Center to the east and is to the north of the Federal Way Transit Center and Town Square Park, is envisioned to become an urban village with residential and retail components, according to Ferrell.
The city has plans to sell the property to a private developer. Ferrell said the city has two interested buyers.
“Later this year, we should be able to select one of the two and move ahead on the sale and then development of the property,” Ferrell explained.
The city’s vision, pending public input, calls for above-market priced apartments with premium retail shops. The design and layout of the center will encourage walkability.
“Creating a vibrant downtown core for our city has been a vision for decades,” Ferrell stated in a news release last November. “Redevelopment of this property combined with the [Performing Arts and Conference Center], Town Square Park and Transit Center creates four contiguous blocks — Town Center is born.”
Federal Way High School
Thanks to the gracious support of voters who passed a $60 million capital projects levy in November 2012 and the $50 million in savings from the leftover 2007 bond, construction is finally underway on a new high school.
The original Federal Way High School opened in September 1938. Surrounding it, are other additions, each built in a different decade and spread out on the sprawling campus.
“It didn’t tie together well,” said Debra Stenberg, a spokeswoman for the Federal Way School District. “Students had to walk nearly a quarter of a mile to get to some classes.”
Last fall, 24 portables were moved in to house the students while construction commenced.
Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, the portables will be removed and students will move into the new classroom space.
Additional phases will follow up until winter 2017, which include a new gymnasium, cafeteria and theater space.
“The impact of the new Federal Way High School will be felt in this community for generations,” said Sally McLean, interim superintendent. “We are grateful that voters chose to approve the six-year levy, allowing us to pay for the construction as we go.”
