Federal Way/Auburn/Kent Development News

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Originally Posted by Fedwayer

I don't think Gig Harbor is in Sound Transit's district, and if that's the case, I think it would be a long shot to get light rail there.

I think light rail solely between Tacoma and Federal Way wouldn't be very cost effective given that it's a reverse commute -- most people in Federal Way drive north. Despite its proximity to Tacoma, Federal Way is still a suburb of Seattle.

I know there are other factors that go into deciding where light rail should go, but I thought the statistics are interesting, especially related to arguments on density and light rail in South King County.

Maybe if S. King County gets more density, I think light rail would then be cost-effective (based on the route alignment and grade). The only other reason light rail would be needed is if people from the Airport wants to get home (and vice versa) or people use light rail to run errands (but that would only work if those errands are near light rail stations). Also, the route of the proposed South Link wouldn't really serve major places (such as Southcenter and the Kent Valley, for example); it would only jump-start redevelopment opprotunities that would take several years to take full effect.

Just another example, the routing for light rail in Snohomish County would probably be more effective because it has stops at major centers/attractions, like Alderwood, Northgate, and the future Downtown Lynnwood).
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Okay, back to Federal Way, what's the deal with the new strip mall, Federal Way Crossing? In just 2 years, that area got a big strip mall, a new Wal-Mart Supercenter (even though there's a Wal-Mart a mile away), and a new Lowe's building. Can anyone tell me what's the deal there?

[Fedwayer]

The stats I put up were to note that there are a lot of people who live in S. King County (four of the six most populous cities in King County, two of the most populous cities in the State) and to show that there is more density than is realized along the proposed light rail line (i.e., Des Moines, Federal Way and Tacoma). In addition to providing an alternative, environmentally friendly way to commute to downtown Seattle, it would serve major places like Highline Community College, Downtown Federal Way and Downtown Tacoma. Heavy rail already serves the valley cities of Kent and Tukwila (Southcenter). I would also note that under RTID's financing formula, the money to build light rail in S. King County would be paid for by S. King County revenues.

Dont get me wrong, I think the northern and eastern routes should be built too. I just hated the way misinformation was put out there to kill the package. We have to invest in a long term transportation solution and not just one that serves immediate needs, because that will leave us always behind development and will be more expensive. I'll get off my soapbox now.

As for the new strip malls, Federal Way has revamped its commercial zoning code to appeal to different types of commercial uses. The area with the new lowes, la fitness, etc, is zoned for big box retail. The downtown area prohibits strip malls (any development greater than a certain square footage must be at least two story, and the buildings must be built up against the sidewalk with parking in back or underground). They also have neighborhood commercial zoning that now encourages pedestrian friendly mixed use.

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Originally Posted by Fedwayer

As for the new strip malls, Federal Way has revamped its commercial zoning code to appeal to different types of commercial uses. The area with the new lowes, la fitness, etc, is zoned for big box retail. The downtown area prohibits strip malls (any development greater than a certain square footage must be at least two story, and the buildings must be built up against the sidewalk with parking in back or underground). They also have neighborhood commercial zoning that now encourages pedestrian friendly mixed use.

Wow, I had no idea! It's good that Federal Way is containing big-box stores in one area instead of all over the city and having city-wide gridlock.

[CityView Jim]

So where is Downtown Federal Way? Would it be 320th between Pac Highway and I-5? If so, it's a sea of parking lots fronting retail instead of the other way around. When is this rebirth to begin?

[Tcmetro]

South Link will be built anyway. The money from the subarea can't be transferred to other subareas, and S King County already has a good bus system, with mulitple routes that are frequent such as the 101, 120, 150, 194, 500, etc. Plus in 2008 or 2009 the 194 and 574 will be combined and will provide 15 minute service from Seattle to Federal Way, and half-hourly service to Tacoma and Lakewood. ST is also talking about possible 24-hour service on the route, a stop in Tukwila, and an extension to DuPont. RapidRide will arrive in 2010, also. South Link will provide the decent service that is needed in South King County. Recently, bus routes like the 150 are facing overcrowding and the frequency was improved to 15 minutes on Weekdays and Saturdays. Also for Burien and Des Moines, route 121 (Seattle-Burien-Highline Via 509) will be upgraded to frequent all day service.

It is good to see Federal Way building up. All I remember of Federal Way was transferring buses.

[Fedwayer]

Downtown Federal Way is the area around and north of the Commons. Today's front page of the Daily Journal of Commerce has an article about the Downtown Federal Way project. It looks like the "rebirth" starts this Spring. The article also indicates that Federal Way passed a tax exemption for its Downtown so that condo buyers won't have to pay property taxes for 10 years. :-)

Interestingly, it sounds like there are a couple more high-rise projects in the works:

"Doherty said the city's development policies are already leading to more growth downtown. Just this week, the city got an application from a developer who is considering putting a high-rise in a development just a block north of the site, and another for a mixed-use project about a block southeast of the Symphony site."

[taiwanesedrummer36]

Does the city plan to have some sort of "International District" or "Koreatown" (cause I haven't heard anything)? The only reason I go to Federal Way is to check out the Korean supermarkets there (and eat at Popeyes ); not to mention there is a large Asian/Korean population there.

[Bond James Bond]

This is all great news. Let's just hope the highrises don't all turn out to be the same height.

[USAPatriot]

I'm overjoyed at this. It gives me a reason to actually go to urban sprawls-ville Federal Way to take pictures for the AJM STUDIOS Northwest Photo Journey.

Plus I love to see a new possible skyline coming to our state. Please come fast tall buildings.

[Fedwayer]

I seem to recall that there was once talk of creating an international district, but I don't think that has gone anywhere. Right now I think the city council's concentration is just on creating a real downtown.

The project's building heights all differ. The shortest I think is around 160 feet, and the tallest is 250 feet. The other two are somewhere in between.

I'm really curious to see what the other high-rise projects that are planned that were mentioned in the Daily Journal of Commerce article. Has anyone heard anything?

[exorcizt84]

I hope it becomes a reality. I lived in Federal Way 11 years ago, moved to San Diego but I heard from my brother who lives in Tacoma of how much it has changed and maybe I'll be going there next year.

[Puertalian]

Originally Posted by Fedwayer

I seem to recall that there was once talk of creating an international district, but I don't think that has gone anywhere. Right now I think the city council's concentration is just on creating a real downtown.

The project's building heights all differ. The shortest I think is around 160 feet, and the tallest is 250 feet. The other two are somewhere in between.

I'm really curious to see what the other high-rise projects that are planned that were mentioned in the Daily Journal of Commerce article. Has anyone heard anything?

The whole city is an international district. sameway with lakewood. its like an extension of korea.

[blackc5]

Not exactly Federal Way, but I saw some news that Des Moines, directly to its north, has also zoned an area, and apparently has some type of contract in place with a developer, to re-develop a large area, to include multiple 20-story towers. They mentioned something like 1800 residential units on an 11 acre site, which would also include retail and office space, and that they would have great Sound views thanks to being built at the top of a ridge.

[citruspastels]

Originally Posted by blackc5

Not exactly Federal Way, but I saw some news that Des Moines, directly to its north, has also zoned an area, and apparently has some type of contract in place with a developer, to re-develop a large area, to include multiple 20-story towers. They mentioned something like 1800 residential units on an 11 acre site, which would also include retail and office space, and that they would have great Sound views thanks to being built at the top of a ridge.

Awesome! No idea what the source was though?

[bgwah]

Originally Posted by citruspastels

Awesome! No idea what the source was though?

http://www.desmoinesmail.com/webPDF/...tycurrents.pdf


source: http://www.sunway.net/projects/ssi-pacific-place/

[WESTSEATTLEGUY]

Any hope of it starting soon?

[CityView Jim]

Wow! That's awfully close to the flight paths for such height and proximity. I guess this will be built on the Kent side of Pac Highway, but still. Twenty story buildings within 30 blocks of the runways south end.

[USAPatriot]

More big news from Russell Investiments! Shows that Federal Way is serious about downtown core!

Federal Way just made a brand new proposal for Russell Investiments of Tacoma.

The News Tribune Article Here


Federal Way, Washington proposal for Russell Investiments to help create a downtown core.

[NW Mike]

Russell should stay in Tacoma. Federal Way should make their own start-ups and grow on their own. Russell is from Tacoma and can help the city alot.

[RMacherat]

Originally Posted by CityView Jim

Wow! That's awfully close to the flight paths for such height and proximity. I guess this will be built on the Kent side of Pac Highway, but still. Twenty story buildings within 30 blocks of the runways south end.

I wondered about that too, especially since the land in question is 100' higher than the airport already and a good proportion of aircraft turn southeast right after they take off.