Federal Way, WA

Federal Way is one of the largest and newest cities in Washington. When it was incorporated in February, 1990 it immediately became the sixth-largest city in the state. The city's population is approximately 84,000. Residents of the city are able to enjoy miles of Puget Sound waterfront and beautiful mountain views. Federal Way's location is also an advantage. It is situated on Interstate 5, just 25 miles south of Seattle, 8 miles north of Tacoma, and 12 miles from Sea-Tac International Airport.

Federal Way began as a logging settlement in the late 1800s. In the 1920s, Federal Highway 99 was built between Seattle and Tacoma, and people began referring to the area as "Federal Way." When the community experienced rapid residential and commercial growth during the 1970s and 1980s, a movement began to organize the area into a city.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Federal Way is primarily a residential community. Only about one-quarter of the city's population is employed in Federal Way, while the rest work in nearby cities such as Auburn, Bellevue, Kent, Seattle, and Tacoma.

The retail and service sectors dominate Federal Way's economy, but it is also the headquarters of the timber company Weyerhaeuser and the Christian charitable organization World Vision. Other major employers are Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Wild Waves Theme Park, and Saint Francis Hospital.

Public-sector entities, notably the school district, the United States Postal Service and the city itself, also play a significant role in the city's economy. Federal Way is also home to three medical facilities that are integral to the city's economic development:

• Group Health Medical Center provides urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions. The center also provides a consulting nurse service, optometry, and occupational health and safety services.
• Saint Francis Hospital is a community hospital. It provides 24-hour emergency care, cardiac care, cancer care, and imaging services. The hospital also has a birthing center, a women's care center, and a sleep disorder center.
• Virginia Mason-Federal Way provides adult and pediatric primary and specialty care. Specialties include orthopedics, dermatology, general and plastic surgery, gastroenterology, urology, cardiology, and optometry.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Federal Way is made up of 11 diverse neighborhood areas ranging from subdivisions to waterfront communities. Interstate 5 goes right through the city and many homes are located near the highway. Neighborhoods include:

• Adelaide/Buenna: a densely populated community of single-family homes and apartments near Puget Sound. This neighborhood contains the most expensive homes in the city and residents tend to be well-educated with above-average incomes.
• Mirror Lake: a subdivision of mostly three- and four-bedroom single-family homes primarily built between 1970 and 1994. This neighborhood is home to a mix of single people, families and seniors.
• Woodmont Beach: a nautical neighborhood located on the north side of the city between Puget Sound and Interstate 5. A mix of owners and renters live in Woodmont Beach in primarily one- or two-bedroom homes.

Recently, downtown Federal Way has experienced a transformation from being a low-density, automobile-oriented commercial district to a high-density, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly city center. New zoning laws allow for the construction of taller buildings, while pedestrian-friendly design standards have been adopted for downtown streets. Millions of dollars worth of downtown infrastructure improvements have been completed and the Federal Way Transit Center opened in 2006.

EDUCATION

• DeVry University: DeVry's Federal Way campus opened in 2001 and is home to more than 1,000 enrolled students. Programs of study include biomedical technology, business, computer information systems, electronics, and management.
• Highline Community College: The main campus of this public school is located in nearby Des Moines, and there is a secondary campus in Federal Way. Degrees are offered in dozens of occupational programs.

FOR VISITORS

From city parks with hiking trails and picnic areas to a large theme park offering a day full of thrills, there's plenty to do in Federal Way. Attractions include

• Celebration Park: a recently constructed sports complex that includes four baseball fields, four soccer fields, trails and a children's play area
• The Federal Way Farmers Market: an opportunity for residents to buy produce and flowers directly from area farmers. It takes place every Saturday from May through October at the Commons Mall parking lot.
• Wild Waves Theme Park: a water park and theme park with several water rides and pools, as well as numerous theme park rides ranging from a roller coaster to an antique carousel

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

A range of community arts groups provide a variety of cultural activities in Federal Way, including:

• Centerstage Theatre Arts Conservatory, a professional theatre that draws actors, directors, and writers from around the country
• Knutzen Family Theatre, a 234-seat performing arts center that was built in 1998. In addition to concerts and shows, the theater also hosts an art gallery.
• Federal Way Symphony, a regional orchestra. The symphony is known for its youth programs. Free tickets are provided to students 18 and under.