FW City Council split in exploration of buying Sound Transit property

The Federal Way City Council is exploring the possibility of acquiring Sound Transit property for development, a proposal that emerged from a presentation by the Federal Way Public Market group. During the council's recent meeting, community development director Keith Niven corrected several inaccuracies regarding the acquisition process, noting that no city has previously purchased significant Transit Oriented Development (TOD) property directly from Sound Transit. He pointed out that the land in question has environmental damage due to a former dry cleaning business, which brings additional cleanup costs that would need to be factored into any purchase. Councilmember Jack Dovey emphasized the importance of controlling downtown development, arguing that inaction could lead to external parties making decisions for the city. Conversely, Councilmember Susan Honda expressed concerns over the timing of the proposal, especially following recent budget discussions highlighting pressing maintenance needs.

The council voted to include this topic in their upcoming retreat agenda, indicating a willingness to explore the potential acquisition further. The discussion underscores the complexities of urban development and environmental management in the region. As the council navigates these issues, the community remains engaged in the dialogue regarding the future of Federal Way's urban landscape.