What to do with a grand piano?

That’s what the Federal Way Arts Commission had to ask.

Several years ago, the Arts Commission, along with other community arts groups, raised money and purchased a Yamaha C7 Grand circa 1978. The piano has been stored at Knutzen Family Theatre for the past few years, pulled out and used for a few performances. But for the most part, the piano has been left in a back room inside a sealed case that keeps the temperature and humidity steady.

Beverly Kim, a registered piano technician, estimated that since the piano is in very good condition, a used piano could be bought for between $17,000 and $19,000. However, a new one would cost $35,790.

At its last meeting, the Arts Commission was asked what it would like done with the piano, since it was one of the main groups that raised money for the piano. Although the piano was bought by local groups, it was donated to the city, which ultimately has the final say in what happens to the piano.

The Arts Commission expressed concern leaving with piano in the care of Centerstage and wanted more arts groups to use the instrument. They were given options for what they would like done with the piano, including selling it or leaving it as is.

The Arts Commission voted to tell the council that the first choice would be to store the piano at St. Luke’s church for use by the Federal Way Symphony and the Federal Way Chorale. However, that would mean storing the piano on non-city property, which the commission was warned was an option the city may not be willing to go for.

As a second option, the Arts Commission voted to let the piano stay in its current location. They voted not to sell the instrument.

In both cases, the plan is still to move the piano to a Performing Arts Center, if Federal Way ever gets one.

City council voted to approve a contract that put both the grand piano and another upright piano in the hands of Centerstage along with the Knutzen Family Theatre. However, city staff will check on the pianos quarterly as part of their reports back to the council.

This was not the first time the council went against the Arts Commission’s recommendation. The commission voted not to allow a manager to take over Knutzen Family Theatre; rather the commission felt the city should continue to run the theater.