Economic development, affordable housing and transportation were three key drivers in a legislative priority discussion between 30th District lawmakers, the Federal Way City Council and mayor on Thursday morning.

On Monday, Jan. 12, state lawmakers will convene in Olympia for what is projected to be a 105-day session.

The dozen legislative priorities the City Council presented were broken out among four topics: economic and community development, fiscal health, transportation and public safety.

“This is our wish list,” Mayor Jim Ferrell said. “These are the priorities that matter to our community.”

Chief among the economic and community development priorities is the support for a planned 700-seat Performing Arts and Conference Center and also support for a south King County regional hygiene center to benefit the homeless.

Since the incorporation of Federal Way in 1990, the push for a performing arts center has had fervent support, according to Joann Piquette, president of the Federal Way Coalition of the Performing Arts.

The coalition was founded in 1989 and ever since it has raised money little by little to bring a performing arts center to Federal Way.

For years, performing arts groups in Federal Way have had to look outside the city for venues to present programming.

In late summer, construction of the center on land previously occupied by the old Toys ‘R’ Us will begin. The city was able to purchase the land, which is near the Federal Way Transit Center, with a $5 million allocation from the state.

On June 3, the Federal Way City Council approved the $32 million project to move forward. The city is asking the state for an additional $4 million. The coalition has received more than $675,000 in donation pledges from community members.

“This is the keystone of our downtown and what we consider our town center,” Ferrell said.

Deputy Mayor Jeanne Burbidge said the Performing Arts and Conference Center project is a vital part of the city’s economic development.

“Helping to move this forward can make a huge difference for our city as a whole,” Burbidge said.

Senator-elect Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, told City Council and community members in the audience to “keep doing what you’re doing.”

“I need a united community that says this is our priority,” Miloscia said.

Councilwoman Dini Duclos presented the priority wished by Council to bolster support for a south King County regional hygiene shelter to benefit the increasing homeless population in Washington’s 11th largest city.

Duclos brought attention to the growing amount of state funding that is diverted to north and east King County from some of the hardest hit areas in south King County, including Federal Way.

“We have to show some political clout,” she said. “We need to get together and highlight the fact that the poor population has moved to south (King) County. More and more are coming here, but we have less and less dollars.”

Helping the homeless is one reason Councilman Martin Moore became so impassioned to serve in public office.

“There is an incredible amount of disparity in funding,” Moore said. “I want to thank the Council for addressing this issue. It’s a human dignity issue. We need to do what we can to make a healthier society, to give opportunity to all individuals.”

Burbidge said that the homelessness issue is a “serious concern” best dealt with through a partnership with existing resources. She also said more analysis needs to be done before any request for seed money from the state is submitted.

Paired with the hygiene shelter is a need to push for better affordable housing standards in Federal Way. According to a city report, the existing structure of state tax incentives is resulting in inequitable placements of affordable multifamily housing in King County. Federal Way is a losing city in this dilemma.

Finally, the Council asked for transportation funding to support the completion of the remaining parts of the triangle project in Federal Way.

This funding request amounts to $114 million to complete the “triangle” interchange of Interstate 5, State Highway 18 and State Route 161.

Council members and the 30th District legislators agreed that completion of the project would be instrumental in improving access to local businesses and enhancing freight mobility to the Port of Tacoma.

House Rep. Linda Kochmar, R-Federal Way, said she’s hopeful a transportation revenue package will be approved this session.

Kochmar said the state budget is benefiting from increased revenues. However, this means more people want their share.

Because education funding will be a hot button item this session, a city of Federal Way report said this will affect other budget concerns, like transportation.

A transportation revenue package may be revived, but will likely face challenges in passing both houses, according to a city report.