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About the
Federal Way Coalition of the Performing Arts
The Federal Way
Coalition of the Performing Arts (FWCPA) was organized in 1989 to promote and
raise funds toward a 1,000-seat performing arts center in Federal Way. Two
representatives from each performing arts group in Federal Way serve on the
Board of Directors. The FWCPA is a registered, non-profit 501(c)3 organization
whose contributions are tax-deductible.
The major missing element in Federal Way is a cultural facility
Federal Way, Washington, is a bustling city where businesses and
residents alike enjoy many of the amenities for a beneficial and satisfying
lifestyle. With over 83,000 citizens, it is currently the seventh largest city
in the state (June '07 figures).
Nowhere in Federal Way
is a theatre large enough in which the many local performing arts groups can
perform, nor where conventions or business organizations can hold a large meeting,
seminar, or special event. Major touring cultural or educational groups cannot
stop here because the only available facility large enough is a school
cafeteria with a stage that seats 400...on folding chairs. The beautiful
Knutzen Family Theatre, unfortunately, only seats 234. Considerably smaller
cities around Federal Way all have auditoriums that seat 800 to 1100, which
all-too-often host sold-out performances of Federal Way-based talent and groups.
Update: January, 2008
A quick update on what’s been going on
with our activities toward a performance hall in Federal Way:
First there were months of meetings of the
grassroots group advocating for the facility. Then the city contracted with C.
H. Johnson, consultants from Chicago, to conduct a feasibility study. They
recently completed a report after several visits, interviews with potential
users, and community leaders. While our original “wish list” of a 1000 seat and
a 400 seat theater didn’t pencil out, they concluded there definitely is a need
for a performance hall/event center.
The consultants were stunned to learn a city
of this size didn’t have a performance hall in any of its schools. All our
surrounding school districts have them...Auburn has three!
The recommendation of the consultant is a
500-700 seat facility. They further suggested inclusion of a ballroom, plus a
large lobby that could be utilized for a variety of activities: meetings,
fundraising events, receptions, for instance.
What now? The City Council and city
management have met with state legislators to discuss changing dates on a Senate
bill currently in force that would merely change the date construction must
begin on a facility from June 2008 to June 2009. It would be impossible for
Federal Way to be ready for ground-breaking before then. If the legislature
agrees to change the date, we could be eligible for several million dollars of
funding toward the hall. A Senate hearing is scheduled for January 30 in
Olympia, but it’s unlikely a decision would be made for several weeks. It would
also have to be approved in the House.
There have been discussions of possible
sites, and the focus now is the four acre piece adjoining Truman High School,
owned by the Federal Way School District. The site is walking distance from
downtown, near hotels and the Transit Center, and easily connects to
I-5. Parking might be a challenge, but discussions will be held with nearby
commercial property owners. There might even be a partnership with a planned
hotel across the street. If that site is selected, the School District would
lease the land in a contract similar to what it has with the Boys/Girls Club: $1
a year, with rights to utilize the building. Further discussions are needed.
Fundraising through grants and private
contributions, as well as selling naming rights to the facility and various
rooms and other elements, such as pavers, seats and wall plaques will be
considered.
Further discussions about design will take
place and ultimately a schematic design will be created. An architectural firm
has not been selected yet. A professional fundraising firm will probably be
engaged to lead a campaign and the FWCPA will undoubtedly be involved in that
aspect. After all, we are the primary benefactors of this project!
Over the years (we were established in 1989)
we have dedicated a fund to donate to an eventual facility. Proceeds from our
many concerts and special events are in CDs, just waiting to be needed! We have
raised several thousand dollars while promoting our members’ events as well. The
funds must go into a building fund, and cannot be used for other projects or
activities.
Lastly, the early figure for cost of our
performance hall is (brace yourself): $40 million!!We will be taking a close
look at where these costs are and where we might reduce them. I can report all
of us closely involved in this process are shocked. Once we have a detailed
design, we will more accurately know specific costs, and hopefully, they will be
considerably less.
I was the only non-city staff person on the
small Steering Committee. Council member Jeanne Burbidge was also a member. We
met many times, sometimes three times a week, and contributed considerable
information to the consultants, as well as participating in many conference
calls with them. While the cost is still a monumental element facing us, we are
hopeful we will receive significant amounts from the city, county, state, and
even national sources.
Of course we hope Federal Way citizens will
contribute as much as they can afford in order to have a performance hall in
their own city.
Joann Piquette, President
Federal Way Coalition of the Performing Arts
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