My family and I risked our lives while pretending to be tourists in downtown Federal Way — figuratively speaking, of course. More on that in a minute.

With our house under construction for a couple of days, the Hobbs family searched for a place to stay. Despite the allure of affordable motels on Pacific Highway, we chose to bunk at the Courtyard by Marriott, located in the Gateway Center off 320th Street near Interstate 5. The hotel was perfect for my wife and two little boys, who were thrilled by the indoor swimming pool and hot tub.

In fact, the Marriott and its neighbor, the Hampton Inn and Suites, are surrounded by amenities that would please any hotel guest. Within walking distance are Marlene’s Market and Deli, East India Grill, Jimmy John’s subs, Hot Yoga (if you’re so inclined) and an affordable movie theater, Starplex Gateway Movies 8.

In this case, “walking distance” is a relative term. Considering all the options near our hotel, including the mall and its restaurants across 320th Street, that area is not as pedestrian friendly as we would like to think.

With crosswalks on the other side of the hotel, we jaywalked across the parking lot toward a dinner destination. And crossing 320th Street to the mall, at least on foot, was out of the question. Had there been a safer path to Red Robin on the other side of 320th, that’s probably where we would have eaten that night. It’s a kid-friendly place, and anyone with children knows how they influence your dining plans.

That night, I thought about a past city council election in Federal Way. A few years ago, a candidate proposed an idea for building a pedestrian “skybridge” in downtown Federal Way.

While nestled between those hotel sheets, I dreamed of such a walkway — and how it could have expanded our options for spending money at Federal Way’s businesses. I dreamed of an arching bridge that spanned across South 320th Street. The bridge was covered to protect walkers from the weather. The bridge also sported a greeting to motorists who drove underneath as they entered Federal Way from I-5.

Before dismissing the idea of a skybridge, consider its functionality. The walkway would expand options as well as safety for visitors and residents alike. The walkway could double as a classier “welcome sign” as people enter the city. The walkway could include an electronic billboard that directs visitors to events and parking, or offers tips on detours and traffic.

In the ongoing quest to boost the local economy, city leaders talk of ways to attract visitors and their money. Hotels are part of that equation, for they give visitors a reason to stay, and if they stay, the city must help them play. Based on numbers from 2008 and 2009, Federal Way collects close to half a million dollars in sales and lodging taxes annually. Surrounding restaurants and businesses benefit from hotel guests, who need to eat and shop somewhere while they’re here.

With a more pedestrian-friendly area near these hotels, both visitors and the city’s businesses win. And that means residents win, too.