Federal Way to be the next Bellevue? (Seattle, Tacoma: apartments, crime)

[DevanXL]

Center Plaza in Federal Way sells for $14.2 million | Update - Federal Way Mirror

Huge news for Federal Way. This property sits directly across from the Common's Mall (formerly the Sea-Tac Mall) and near 3 other large vacant properties including a former Top Foods, an old target building, and now an empty lot of a former Bally's Total Fitness. The last decade the city of Federal Way has proposed 3 different skyscrapers that ended dead in the water. But the area as of recently has been improving. A police station is located right downtown near the relatively new Transit Garage. The Mall has been updated and alot of new
stores and resturants have moved in. The city has shouted for density for years and may get there wish. WSU has even been rumored to start a new branch campus in Federal Way within the Weyerhausuer HQ (after they move to Seattle in a year).

Federal Way is a diverse city with proximity to both Seattle and Tacoma right off of I-5. The city also has beautiful Puget Sound Neighborhoods with lots of water access, boardwalks, and little known views that rival Seattle, and Spectacular views of Mt. Rainier.

Do you think within the next decade Federal Way could start to resemble something like Bellevue? There is alot more money in the city then outsiders believe.

[Inkpoe]

No. It'll just be Federal Way with lofty ambitions (and drive) in 10 years. Nothing wrong with wanting to be a second coming of Bellevue, but it's not Bellevue version 2. It just won't have the glitziness, the cache, the moneyed ambience that Bellevue has.

[pnwguy2]

I think the key part of your post is that there have been proposals for high rises in Federal Way for probably the past decade. Unfortunately, due to some bad business decisions, combined with the great recession, indeed they are all dead in the water.

I agree this area is primed for high-rise development. So is Lynnwood, but that is another thread. So we shall see how this latest development plays out. On one hand, you have an absolutely fantastic location, (light rail will eventually get there...could be another 15 years, but oh well), on the other hand the income levels in this area are not as strong as Bellevue, so there you have a potential roadblock. But I think eventually this will happen, perhaps not to the extent of Bellevue, but could be catching up.

I remember someone mentioned height restrictions due to the Sea-Tac flight path, but I think you would have to go awfully high to get into that territory.

[seasallyttle]

No. It won't be the next Bellevue. And with all of the current building in Bellevue, Bellevue of tomorrow will not resemble the Bellevue of today.

[pnwguy2]

Agreed, Bellevue may top downtown Seattle with total retail/business/residential within the next decade.

But I think suburbs like Federal Way and Lynnwood, even Puyallup and Marysville could provide their own growth. It only takes a couple of things. Transit and an open desire to make their cities more urban. This is the future.

[505HPC6Z06]

Comparing dung to gold for selling a pipe dream. That is a laugh.

[pnwguy2]

OK, but the same could be said about Bellevue in 1970.

[angelenogirl]

Angelenogirl to be the next Queen of England?

[Hemlock140]

Hopefully Federal Way continues to improve in the coming years, but despite some beautiful waterfront homes along the water, it has a lot of history of crime and poverty to overcome. One renovated shopping mall won't make much of a difference. Bellevue has a long history of wealth, great schools and
commercial growth and with their lack of parking meters are now attracting shoppers from Seattle, including tourists.

[pnwguy2]

Yes, agreed. However, this town is ideally situated and government leaders should make the most of this. I think new highrise apartments are indeed in play here, and eventually new business will find this city as a good place to do business. Like I said, light rail will come in eventually, though that is not the ultimate answer. At some point, Federal Way will become important only by location. Those who get in early will reap the rewards, IMO.