Comment given in the form of song, convinced the city council Jan. 6 to ask the state legislature to partially fund a performing arts center.

About 20 art enthusiasts expressed their desire for a 500- to 700-seat performance center during the open comment section of the latest city council meeting Tuesday night. They asked the council to request $5 million in this upcoming legislative session though the city’s legislative agenda process. The group’s final request came in the form of a song authored by the performers.

After much debate, the council voted 6 to 1 in favor of adding the item to its agenda. Council member Jim Ferrell was the sole opposer, but was impressed with the artists’ attempt to sway his opinion.

“That was probably the most persuasive presentation I’ve seen in my five years on council,” Ferrell said.

Ferrell voted against the measure, saying it was not responsible to request funds now. Residents are worried about a flopping economy, sliding housing market and rising unemployment rate, he said. Asking for state funds is essentially telling the public the city council will most definitely pursue a performance center and tax dollars will be used to help bond, operate, maintain and construct the building, he said.

“Simply because the money is there doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do to ask for it,” Ferrell said.

City staff has been supportive of pursuing a venue for the past two years, but the go-ahead must come from the council. The council has not voted on whether or not a performance arena will be constructed, but has approved a feasibility study, which was favorable, and held discussions with the school district in regards to donated land for the building, near the Truman High School and the EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center off 28th Ave. S.

The money requested in the legislative agenda is part of funding set aside in the state’s capital budget. It may only be used for capital projects. If Federal Way does not go after it, other cities will pursue it for similar projects, city council member Dini Duclos said. It is better to ask for state dollars now and decide later if the project will see completion, rather than not take any action and risk missing out on the funds during a time when construction costs are down and regional jobs are needed, she said.

“It’s perfectly legitimate to put this on our legislative agenda at this time because every other city is doing it,” Duclos said.

Federal Way resident and business owner Monte Powell’s remarks mirrored that of Duclos.

“It is going to be spent, you might as well spend it here,” he said.

Other council members showed reluctance to construct a performance venue, but voted in favor of requesting the money so the city may have pocketed money if the project becomes a reality in the near future. Mayor Jack Dovey said he entered the meeting planning to exclude the funding request from the agenda, but changed his mind when he realized asking for it today does not bind the city to building a performance center.

“This is not, by far, my number-one priority,” Dovey said. “When I vote tonight, my vote is to ask the legislature to consider this. This is not my vote to support (a performing arts center).”

More discussion needs to be had on the subject, but investing in a performance center is financially doable at this time if the city proceeds with caution, deputy mayor Eric Faison said.

“There’s ways we can augment this if we do our homework and there’s a lot of homework to be done, but this is clearly feasible,” he said.

City staff has presented a tentative plan to construct an approximately $40 million venue, including the value of land, with the assistance of up to $20 million in state funding the city may pursue in portions in upcoming years.