Although it created more humor value then substantive change, the city was told that if they changed the name of the Performing Arts and Conference Center to Performing Arts and Events Center it would increase their chance for funding. It looks like we can change it back, as the city has again come up short on receiving the much talked about tax credits. Although at this point we may want to keep our name options open.

This time, apparently the city didn’t know about a requirement for 80 percent of the money to be spent on the 10 most needy states. And Washington isn’t one of them. They also didn’t know that the money favored rural areas. Federal Way isn’t one of those either.

But beyond the bad news being wrapped in spin control and laden with a dollop of chocolate topping and a dash of sprinkles, there was some noticeable improvement in how Mayor Jim Ferrell’s administration handled the situation. It was far more open.

It isn’t always the words you use but the tone you set with those words. Since the beginning, the events center supporters have branded the project as “no cost to Federal Way taxpayers” because it will be paid for with other people’s money. Supporters said they would obtain state, local and national grants, loans, legislative funding, sell naming rights and do local fundraising. The message, intended or not, was “it won’t cost you anything.” They always emphasized “no new taxes.” But using Federal Way taxpayers’ money as part of the loans has always been part of the plan.The only question has been, “how much?” The answer will be somewhere between $3-9 million.

Anyone who raised any questions was treated as a negative thinker or troublemaker and shouted down or bullied. In some cases, even by City Hall spokespeople, and not just in the Ferrell administration.

But, this past week we saw several changes that may create a more positive environment for civil debate and discussion and may set a tone for how City Hall could respond to difficult issues in the future.

First, Mayor Ferrell laid out for the Mirror all the bad news at the same time and showed how all the pieces fit together. No new tax credits at this time and maybe never. No bidders on the Town Center 3 property, and the need to spend $10,000 on a study because the location of the hotel has become more crucial to the overall project. Transparency is a word politicians love, and frequently that is all it is — a word. But this week it was actually put into practice.

Political watchers also noticed the mayor moved some of his players around to help with the message. New events center Director Theresa Yvonne brought the chocolate and the sprinkles as she seemed to take on a bigger role of visibility and provided an update on fundraising, which has been successful.

Moving Yvonne to a more prominent role changes the dynamics and provides a different and more positive message.

But that is not to say that there are not still many questions to be answered. Such as, how could the city learn of the change in federal requirements regarding need and rural location so late? The city has a highly paid lobbyist with connections to influential capitol players and are supposed to know what is going on in Washington D.C. Lobbyists are paid to keep their clients from hearing surprises.

And just as Yvonne was moved into the forefront, city Economic Development Director Tim Johnson stayed in reserve and wasn’t heard. Johnson was hired, at least in part, because of his connections and knowledge of the tax credit program. Last January at the mayor-council retreat, much was made about Johnson being on the board of directors of the clearinghouse, which was expected to receive the tax credits. The tone was one of “it’s a sure thing.” It wasn’t. And suddenly Chief of Staff Brian Wilson led the council briefing on the tax credit problem.

But while Wilson said the city was still interested in the tax credit program, he also said they were reevaluating that interest. That is government talk for “we are starting to lack confidence that the program will work for us and are considering going ahead without it.”

But since it is unlikely fundraising can make up the difference, it is more likely that the city inter-fund loan will get bigger.The city inter-fund loan is from Federal Way taxpayers and can be used for a public purpose.

City and community leaders will move ahead and build the events center because they simply don’t have any other options. But there is also a political need to change the discussion from the negative money debate, to the more positive discussion of the building schedule.

But in the midst of all the bad news we saw a mayor and his staff take a major step forward in openness with the public they serve. Ahead of us will be bids on the actual construction costs. If it is above the estimated $32 million, which seems likely, we will need our mayor and council to lead us through an open and frank discussion of the options.

They made significant progress in candor this week. We need that to continue.

Federal Way resident Bob Roegner is a former mayor of Auburn: bjroegner@comcast.net.