Performing arts center
Johnson Consulting, hired by the city to perform a performing arts center feasibility study, will present its initial findings to Federal Way and residents at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S.
The consultants are expected to reveal that a performing arts center, as a stand-alone venue, may not be feasible, but a combination conference center with a smaller performance venue may be, city spokeswoman Linda Farmer said. The meeting is open to public comment. Contact Scott Pingel at (253) 835-2403 or scott.pingel@cityoffederalway.com.
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North Shore: Latest update
On Nov. 27, the City of Tacoma notified Northshore Investors LLC that it intends to issue a Determination of Significance for the developer’s application to build The Point at Northshore in Northeast Tacoma.
The Determination of Significance will likely result in a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, according to a Nov. 27 letter provided to the developer from the City of Tacoma. This would address the environmental impacts the development would have on the cities of Tacoma and Federal Way, according to the letter. Northshore Investors has failed to address how The Point at Northshore would impact Tacoma and Federal Way aesthetics and land use, recreation, transportation and schools, the letter said.
Also included in the letter was a copy of the Nov. 20 letter to Tacoma from Federal Way, detailing Federal Way’s concerns with the development; the Nov. 20 letter from Tacoma Public Schools to the City of Tacoma, detailing the limited amount of elementary school capacity; and a Nov. 20 letter to the City of Tacoma from the Department of Ecology, detailing the need for additional information about the type of fill material that will be used for the development, among other things.
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Money for planting trees
The HomeStreet Bank Tree Challenge raised $16,950 to be used toward tree planting efforts in the Hylebos Creek Watershed, according to a Nov. 26 Friends of the Hylebos press release. The challenge began in September and concluded this month.
A $10,000 donation from the William and Elizabeth Hyde Fund for the Environment of the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation was received and will be used to plant trees in the Pierce County portion of the watershed.
The donations will be applied toward the Hylebos Creek Conservation Initiative with the goal to preserve and restore 745 acres and 10 miles of Hylebos Creek over the next 20 years. The Friends of the Hylebos and its partners have successfully preserved more than 400 acres of the wetlands area. More than 29,000 trees have been planted in the area in the past seven years, according to the press release.
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New Hope food drive
New Hope Mortgage in Federal Way will hold its third annual food drive from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Albertsons, 31009 Pacific Highway S.
John Wilde of New Hope Mortgage organizes the food drive. He hopes between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds of food will be collected this year.
During the drive’s first year in operation, a total of 2,500 pounds of food and $125 in donations were collected, Wilde said.
Last year, a total of 6,500 pounds of food and more than $250 in donations were received, he said. The food is donated to the Federal Way Food Bank.
The Federal Way City Council may challenge local residents and businesses to donate to the food bank by offering to match funding dollar for dollar, if the mid-biennium budget is passed in its current form on Dec. 4. A total of $10,000 would be available for matching funds.
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Volunteer emergency workers
Federal Way is seeking community volunteers to assist in the Greater Federal Way Emergency Management Program.
Emergency workers will receive training and provide services and skills to the community during emergencies, such as earthquakes or storms, Emergency Management Coordinator Ray Gross said.
Federal Way residents have the opportunity to volunteer in approximately seven areas, including Emergency Operations Center radio or shelter operations as well as damage assessment.
The city will hold a volunteer emergency worker orientation at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S.
To learn more, contact Ray Gross at (253) 835-2712 or ray.gross@cityoffederalway.com.
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Two-liter bottles sought
The Federal Way School District science center is seeking empty 2-liter plastic bottles.
Bottles can be sent or dropped off at the Science Center Warehouse, next to the bus yard and district maintenance building, 1066 S 320th St.
