When Sound Transit completes a segment of the light rail, land nearby that was used for construction is utilized with their Transit Oriented Development (TOD) framework.
A local nonprofit called Federal Way Public Market that is working toward the creation of a permanent public market in Federal Way has their sight set on the TOD location near the Federal Way light rail station.
On Jan. 7, the Federal Way Public Market group presented this vision to the mayor and Federal Way City Council and asked for their support.
“A resolution of support from the city provides critical, visible commitment to the market. We’ve approached the county and the port for funding, and they have asked us where the city stands on this. Your support matters. It’s essential for our success,” said Greg McCann, vice president of the group, while advocating for the market at the special council meeting.
In April, the group presented a vision for the project at a town hall event and announced they had received state support.
So far the group has received $77,000 through the state via the 30th District legislators toward a feasibility and site study for the market. They are asking the city to match this funding in order to complete those studies.
The feasibility began in the fall of 2024, led by nationally known public market expert Aaron Zaretsky. Zaretsky was the former director of Pike Place Market.
“We want to build a public market that is the heart and soul of our new downtown. The public market will be reflective of our community, be a place that all Federal Way residents can call their own. It will be a de facto community hub,” McCann said in the presentation.
Sound Transit is aware of the community desire for a public market in the area. Among other key findings like wanting mixed-use and mixed income housing in the area, the Federal Way TOD Engagement Summary described “preference for a public-market-type facility, which could feature local goods and merchants, and provide a variety of goods and services to attract a broad range of individuals to the space.”
Since the April town hall event, they have also hired a public affairs consultant and are currently working on gathering more letters of support and community feedback.
In addition to a statement of support and funds toward the project, the Federal Way Public Market group proposed the possibility of the city purchasing the TOD area from Sound Transit in order to have more local control over it.
An initial study of the project can be found on their website at https://fedwaypm.org/market-study-%26-swot.
A digital rendering of what the Federal Way Public Market’s entrance could look like. Photo courtesy of Ron Walker
Roger Flygare and others at the Federal Way Public Market update meeting. Photo courtesy of Ron Walker
