07-19-2022 - Robert StrongCITY OF
Federal Way
Centered on Opportunity
Public Comment - Written
Meeting Type: City Council Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: July 19, 2022
Name: Robert Strong
Resident/ Yes
Business Owner
Comment Topic: Skatepark removal
Written Comment:
My name is Robert Strong and I have been a resident of Federal Way for 40 years. I am
unable to attend in person today, but feel compelled to provide my input on the process
called Joint Use Operations and Maintenance Facility Site Selection and the proposed
elimination of 2 parks. First of all it appears that the staff study forecasts a growing city
population in Federal Way over the next twenty years. In reality the data says that
currently the Federal Way population is declining at a rate of -.46% annually. This decline
has been since 2017 and the current population is 94,978. Perhaps the city should look at
a down -sized O&M proposal. The staff recommendation for Site 2 would eliminate 2
recreational park facilities (a skatepark and 2 baseball fields), while leaving a soccer field
(with no parking) right in the middle of the proposed site location. This design would be
the least efficient use of area. Why would a city that takes great pride in its parks
eliminate them to build a Facilities operation directly across the street from a large
residential complex? That seems counterintuitive to directly impact a residential area.
What study was done on that? The study options compare costs. Option 2 says that the
loss of park amenities needs to be mitigated. Where is this cost estimate in the
comparison of the options? What is the cost to build a new skate park and improve
existing baseball fields? If that was included in the study, maybe the total cost for option
1 (existing site) would be the lowest cost? Please take another look at the amount of land
projected to be needed for this facility. Building the O& M facility on the existing site (site
1), with some expansion, makes the most sense and minimizes the impact to parks and
to people.