Federal Way has an identity problem. Non-residents have no reason to come here unless it is a soccer/softball tournament or they are going to the state park.

We have an aging population, but need to attract businesses and manufacturing for taxes. Would they want to move here now? Federal Way is just a stop on Highway 99.

Arts draw attention. Non-residents would come to events. Restaurants would be fuller, hotels and stores would benefit. People would want to invest in businesses if we seemed to be an up-and-coming place.

Why would others want to invest in Federal Way if we do not want to do so ourselves?

I support the performing arts center.

Margaret Nelson, Federal Way