Here are the Federal Way Mirror’s top 10 most-viewed online stories in 2024, along with some photo highlights from local events throughout the year.
1. Amazon is coming to former Weyerhaeuser campus: One of two buildings in the former Weyerhaeuser campus in Federal Way will be leased to Amazon, according to announcements by property owner Industrial Realty Group (IRG). The area is now called Woodbridge Corporate Park, 33663 Weyerhaeuser Way S. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Amazon to Woodbridge Corporate Park and the greater Federal Way community,” said Coby Holley, vice president and asset development manager at IRG, which purchased the 430-acre property in 2016. “Amazon will play a significant role in transforming this incredible property into a vibrant, multi-tenant campus.”
2. Sound Transit completes longest bridge in light rail work: Federal Way residents could see light rail trains traveling along the new tracks by the end of this year as Sound Transit begins its systems integration testing. The train still won’t be open for public use until 2026, but a newly completed bridge structure makes testing possible to begin soon. The bridge in question is called Structure C, and while it’s located in Kent and not Federal Way, it points to the completion of an engineering puzzle that took impressive work to solve. Structure C includes the longest span bridge in the entire light rail system at 500 feet. It stretches over sensitive wetland that also is much too unstable to build on. Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and the Mirror visited the completed bridge on Oct. 18 and saw firsthand the long span that is held up by pillars built over 100 feet deep. “I could not be more impressed,” Ferrell told the Sound Transit team after the tour.
3. Federal Way clinic uses sugar water for pain management: A Federal Way clinic has embraced an effective pain treatment with a simple ingredient: sugar water. Dr. Tam Bui and Dr. Grace Bui are a husband-and-wife duo who own Simply Health DP3, a direct care medical practice in Federal Way. Tam Bui said he enjoys family medicine and plans to practice it more. But for now, on nights and weekends when he’s not on military duty at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tam Bui focuses on pain management treatment through perineural injection therapy, a non-surgical pain treatment that he’s been perfecting over the last 10 years.
4. Karaoke Idols founder Garvaundo Hamilton dies suddenly at WA state finals: Garvaundo Hamilton, co-founder and CEO of Federal Way-based Karaoke Idols, died unexpectedly Aug. 4 during the organization’s Washington State Championships. He was 36. Hamilton took the stage Sunday evening at the Emerald Queen Casino’s conference center in Fife to sing “God Bless the Broken Road” before he planned to announce the three finalists who would be moving on to the world competition. However, right after Hamilton finished the song, he walked off the stage and collapsed, according to witnesses. One judge who witnessed the collapse posted on social media that CPR and defibrillators were used in an effort to revive Hamilton, but he was eventually pronounced deceased at the scene.
5. Man stands firm in protecting Federal Way wetland from developers: In a quiet corner of Federal Way, a small handwritten sign states simply “wetlands.” An arrow points across a street toward tall trees and low underbrush. Multiple developers have seen a vision of single family homes when looking at this patch of nature, tucked between Military Road South and Peasley Canyon Road South in the eastern most part of Federal Way. However, one man sees a natural treasure worth protecting. Loren Meiser has lived near this patch of trees for the past 25 years and has nominated himself as their valiant protector. The handwritten sign is just one of many actions he has taken to try to stop the land from being developed. “You have no idea how much I love this place,” Meiser said. The area is made up of two parcels of land, totaling about 19,000 square feet. Much of the land has been confirmed to be a wetland, which carries certain protections. There have been at least two development attempts over the past five years, but neither made it to the finish line.
6. Community responds to hotels for the homeless: The Federal Way City Council’s packed meeting on March 19 brought updates on two hotels in Federal Way that are being transformed into resources to reduce homelessness. The mayor, city council and community members heard from representatives from organizations involved in the two locations that will become permanent supportive housing. The meeting focused on the property at 1400 S. 320th St. that will be managed by the Urban League through the King County Health Through Housing Initiative. Updates were also shared on a timeline for the former Red Lion property at 1688 S. 348th St. Representatives from King County and from the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle led a discussion that provided time for council questions and public comment regarding the hotel at 1400 S. 320th St. Health Through Housing focuses on a “housing first” model that identifies the need to stabilize individuals in safe and supportive housing with low barriers. Individuals living there sign a lease and are tenants of the property.
7. City to demolish properties for maintenance facility: Federal Way is moving forward with the demolition of properties along 28th Avenue South for the expansion of the Joint Operations and Maintenance Facility that has outgrown its current building. The project has had a long road, and was identified as a need for the city in May 2021 “in order to provide effective operations and maintenance for the city’s public infrastructure including: facilities, parks, streets, surface waters, and storm drain systems.” The new area stretches between South 308th Lane and the existing Operations and Maintenance Facility, which begins at approximately South 311th Street. In order to acquire these properties, the city worked with homeowners for their purchase, including the requirement for just compensation and relocation assistance.
8. Sound Transit leader gives updates on Federal Way’s future light rail: Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman shared updates at a Transit Town Hall on Sept. 5 in Federal Way hosted by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. The latest update for the opening of the Federal Way Link Light Rail Extension is spring 2026. The area of the light rail just south of Federal Way will take almost a decade longer, with estimates of approximately 2035 for the Federal Way stop to connect with the already completed Tacoma stops. An updated Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the South Federal Way Station of the Tacoma Dome Link Extension will be released later this year or in spring 2025. That portion of the light rail — connecting the planned Tacoma Dome stop to Federal Way and Seattle beyond that — was delayed.
9. Feds indict 9 South King County residents on drug trafficking charges: Thirteen people were indicted, mainly from South King County cities, for investigation of drug trafficking by the U.S. Department of Justice. Hector Duran Aldaco, 23, of Federal Way, was named as the lead defendant, according to a May 14 U.S. Department of Justice news release. “These defendants were brazenly bringing large loads of drugs to Western Washington and didn’t hesitate to arm themselves with high-powered firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Even after law enforcement seized the drugs in various traffic stops in Oregon and Washington, they were not deterred.”
10. Homelessness in South King County: Tale of two cities: City leadership successfully housed 95 people who were experiencing homelessness in 2023, and a city-designed Clean and Sober Housing Program successfully helped 30 individuals complete 30 days of inpatient treatment. The community resource center had over 1,835 visits, and a permanent supportive housing location has opened with the capacity to house 100 people. The only problem? These wins in reducing homelessness don’t come from Federal Way, but from our next-door neighbor Auburn. Progress has been made in Federal Way and in South King County overall in addressing the homelessness crisis. And Federal Way has doled out hundreds of thousands of dollars to local organizations who assist in the crisis. However, Auburn’s successes today are a window into the future the Mayor’s Task Force painted in Federal Way’s recommendations six years ago.
For their fried chicken and waffle fries and Swagg Sauce, Swagg-N-Wagon won first place as well as the People’s Choice Award at the 2024 Taste of Federal Way. Each participating restaurant was paired with a local nonprofit – in this case, Federal Way Knights Baseball. File photo
Over 40 people gathered at the Lifeway Church in Federal Way for a Joint Church Summit on Homelessness on March 11. “We all have a common goal — to minister to the homeless,” said event facilitator George Houston from the Federal Way Church of the Nazarene. The event featured representatives from at least 26 churches in Federal Way who all provide services to unhoused people in the community in some way. Pictured: Marquise Hale and Pastor George Houston at the Joint Church Summit on Homelessness. File photo Over 40 people gathered at the Lifeway Church in Federal Way for a Joint Church Summit on Homelessness on March 11. “We all have a common goal — to minister to the homeless,” said event facilitator George Houston from the Federal Way Church of the Nazarene. The event featured representatives from at least 26 churches in Federal Way who all provide services to unhoused people in the community in some way. Pictured: Marquise Hale and Pastor George Houston at the Joint Church Summit on Homelessness. File photo
Mayor Jim Ferrell told the crowd at the PAEC that “the state of the city is strong” at the State of the City address Feb. 15, 2024. Painting a vision for the audience of the future, Ferrell showed visuals of the planned Town Center 3 changes. From the one-acre urban park to retail spaces, walkability and a new pedestrian bridge across 320th Street, he described how the Commons mall, light rail construction, the existing PAEC, and the new housing and retail developments will work together to create Federal Way’s new downtown core. File photo
Decatur High School’s Maddox Heyliger (20) and Spencer Holloway (8) celebrate by running over to fans together after defeating Federal Way High School in September. The Decatur Gators football team made it to the state tournament for the first time in school history, but their historic season was cut short 23-21 in a loss to the Mount Tahoma Thunderbirds on Nov. 15. File photo
The Arts Explosion event returned for the second year May 31 to June 2, featuring a juried art contest and more. Sculptures, music, paintings, photographs and even a live bonsai tree were some of the many varied forms of art represented at the Arts Explosion this year. Pictured: Art filled the lobby of the Performing Arts and Event Center. File photo
Members of the Federal Way Ukrainian community protested Nov. 19 at the intersection of South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South, commemorating the 1,000th day of the Ukraine-Russia war. The rally also honored the war’s victims and prisoners of war. Courtesy photo
At the last Federal Way Farmers Market of the season Oct. 26, 2024. Photo by Bruce Honda
