When I took office over a year ago, the voters gave me clear direction to get Federal Way moving. People told me that they were tired of Federal Way’s future being more potential than tangible. They wanted a downtown they could be proud of and they wanted to see visible signs of progress around the city.

Those of us who choose to make our homes here, and run businesses here, have always known that Federal Way is capable of so much more than what we have achieved in the past.

I’m proud to say that the future of Federal Way is now underway. Economic development projects begun during 2014 are taking shape this year, and in the process, remaking Federal Way for our future.

The forward progress really got started with Town Square Park, Federal Way’s first downtown park, which opened July 12th, 2014 to more than a thousand celebrants. The park has been such a success, that more than 400 residents contributed their ideas about improvements for the park’s second phase. That work begins this summer and will include a new spray park, large trees and shade, a larger lawn area and restrooms. Our vision is to see Town Square Park continue to grow as a downtown destination for families and visitors alike.

Across the street from the park, the Performing Arts and Conference Center will begin rising above downtown, with construction starting this fall. As the building’s metal framework and glass curtain exterior takes shape for its 2016 grand opening, we will all be able to see Federal Way’s future progressing.

As a companion to the Performing Arts and Conference Center, a private hotel will be built to accommodate PACC visitors and our growing hotel sector. Construction of the Performing Arts and Conference Center and hotel will pump more than $60 million in construction spending into our downtown economy.

With the addition of Town Square Park, the Performing Arts and Conference Center and the associated hotel, we are now seeing increased business interest in Federal Way. We’re working to focus that interest into tangible projects through efforts like Town Center.

Two weeks ago, the City issued a request for qualifications and proposals for the Town Center III Project, the 8-acre site adjacent the PACC and Transit Center. With this step, we’ll begin working with developers to turn vision into reality and bring the next level of retail, residential, and office space development to our downtown.

Economic Development is a citywide need, and my recently published Economic Development Strategy provides the blueprint for building a healthy economy across our community. The two-year strategy includes our efforts to recruit a university to town, revitalizing the Weyerhaeuser Campus with a major new employer, and improving access to capital and credit for local businesses, among the 30 objectives.

As important as a robust economy is, there are many priorities for a healthy community and we are working at all levels to ensure we address those needs. While the worst of the Great Recession is over, we are mindful that many in our community struggle with basic services. The City has stepped up to increase its already strong commitment for human services spending from $764,668 in 2014 to $1.04 million in 2015, including saving King County Public Health Clinic services for more than 13,700 low-income women and children.

Public safety remains our number one priority, and we continue to strengthen police services, adding more officers, battling auto theft with advanced technology, and continuing to expand the SafeCity program in neighborhoods.

Federal Way residents enjoy a great parks and recreation system. We’re working to build on that legacy with Town Square Park and beyond.  The current budget invests $700,000 towards improvements at the well-loved Lakota Park. Later this summer, work will begin on building the Panther Lake Trail near the Aquatic Center. Meanwhile, our popular Community Center continues to reach peak membership levels while offering expanded recreation opportunities for all ages.

All across the City, we are taking action and working today to build Federal Way’s future. When you add all these efforts together, the future looks bright, and well within our reach.

Jim Ferrell is the mayor of Federal Way.