Council MIN 07-19-2011 SpecialCITY OF
, �.., Federal Way
MINUTES
FEDERAL WAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
Council Chambers - City Hall
July 19, 2011
5:30 p.m.
www. cityoffederalway. com
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Priest called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Skip Priest, Deputy Mayor Dini Duclos, Councilmember Linda
Kochmar, Councilmember Mike Park, CouncilmemberJeanne Burbidge, CouncilmemberJack
Dovey and Councilmember Roger Freeman.
Mayor Priest announced that Councilmember Jim Ferrell was scheduled to be in court and
would be arriving late. Councilmember Ferrell arrived at 6:25 p.m.
Staff present: City Attorney Pat Richardson and City Clerk Carol McNeilly.
2. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION / FORMER AMC THEATRE SITE
Community and Economic Development Director Patrick Doherty stated Federal Way's City
Center is 41.4 acres with varying development zones. In 1995 the City adopted a
comprehensive plan with the City Center Vision. The City purchased the AMC Theaters site
on Jan 2007 for $4.1 M. The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for purchase and
redevelopment of the former AMC Theatre site on April 25, 2011. The RFQ was advertised
the month of May in numerous publications. In addition, approximately two-hundred invitations
were mailed to developers in the U.S and Canada. The City received three responses from
the following firms: Williams & Dame out of Portland, OR, Twin Developmentof Federal Way,
and ARCADD, Inc. out of West Newton, MA.
The concept proposed by Williams & Dame is a midrise mixed-use development oomprised
by ground-floor retail with four stories of senior and regular apartments. Four buildings would
frame the site and provide a continuous street faCade. Their concept includes a 9,000 square-
foot opposite the Transit Center.
The concept proposed by ARCADD, Inc. includes several mid to high-rise towers arising from
a low-rise 75,000 square-foot crystal palace (a glazed atrium-like structure for business expos,
conferences, etc.).The towers would be 16-stories and the project would include 510
residential units, 120,000 square feet of office and retail space, 50,000 square-feet of
recreation (cinema, restaurant, family entertainment etc.) and 1,353 parking spaces.
City Council Minutes — July 19, 2011 Special Meeting Page 1 of 3
The concept proposed by Twin Development is virtually similar to their last proposal — a high-
rise mixed-use project consisting of three high-rise towers (two 38-story towers and one 22-
story tower). The project would include 550 residences, 90 officetel, 92 hotel units and 40,000
square feet of retail space.
A representative from ARCADD, Inc. stated the buildings on the inside of the projectwould be
residential and the outer buildings would be mixed-use residential and retail. He noted the
importance of linking the project on the AMC Theatre site with the Performing Arts Civic
Center (PACC).
Mr. Doherty stated Twin Development has reported they are working with a bank in New York
that will assist with transferring funds from Japan to aid with financing,
Public Comment
Nancy Combs spoke in opposition to high-rises in Federal Way. She would like to see retail
and restaurants developed on this site.
Norma Blanchard would like to see the site developed by a U.S. developer.
Marie Sciaqua spoke it opposition to a high-rise development. She would like the see the site
developed for Federal Way residents.
Shervl Nevers spoke is opposition to high-rise development in the downtown area and using
foreign money to develop.
Rodney Castro wants to see a project that will bring jobs to Federal Way residents.
Amelia Vassar is a community organizer with Working Washington. She wants to make sure
that Federal Way residents are represented in the workforce once the project is completed.
Roqer Flyqare spoke regarding the convention center at Ocean Shores and how events are
booked two-years in advance. He encouraged the Council to consider developing a
convention center that would host approximately 750 people.
Julie Vance spoke in opposition to foreign funding for this project. She asked if Twin
Development paid the City $100k earnest money as stated in the purchase and sale
agreement.
JoAnn Bernovich would like to see a park on the AMC Theatre site as well as a Veterans
Memorial She spoke in opposition to high-rise development in the downtown area.
Neil Corbin would like to see more studies on this and more development options.
Clara McArthur asked the Council to listen to the residents regarding development on this site.
The Council asked clarifying questions of representatives from ARCADD, Inc and Twin
Development regarding development financing, previous projects, current project concepts
and project timelines.
Mayor Priest recommended asking ARCADD, Inc. to submit a proposal of its concept for staff
and Council to review, and direct staff to research options for enhancing the City Center and
return to a Council Committee or the whole Council in 90-days with more specific
information and to seek Council direction.
City Council Minutes — July 19, 2011 Special Meeting Page 2 of 3
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION
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The Council did not adjourn to executive session.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Priest adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m. and stated the Council will reconvene at 7:10
p.m. for the regular meeting.
Attest:
e
Carol McNeilly, CMC, Cit Clerk
Approved by Council: August 2, 2011
City Council Minutes - July 19, 2011 Special Meeting Page 3 of 3