I started Federal Way Streets Alliance because it is going to take all of us to make Federal Way streets more people-centered.
I'm Mike. I've lived in the Twin Lakes neighborhood with my family since 2020, and I've spent the last few years feeling frustrated at drivers using the limited pedestrian paths in my neighborhood as personal parking spaces, feeling unsafe getting around by bike or foot (especially for my kids), and the very patchwork non-motorized infrastructure in our city.
This led to getting more involved in learning how this city makes decisions about streets, about housing, and how these priorities are funded and resourced.
A lot gets decided quickly and slowly at the same time. Progress comes slow, and by the time you hear about a decision, you likely missed your opportunity for input. The conversation is often dominated about impacts to drivers and vehicle flow, that there is no or little money for non-motorized improvements, and that more police enforcement instead of a safer street design is the answer.
Some of that is true – we do need a lot more funding prioritized for non-motorized infrastructure projects, especially for our neighborhood streets. But I want to live in a city that doesn't respond to reports of drivers consistently parking their cars blocking crosswalk visibility outside a school by telling me to call the police but instead has the budget and political-will to build out daylighting enhancements.
Our city has largely continued the status quo of Federal Way being a car-centered city with patchwork at best people-orientated infrastructure. This must change, and it will if people across our city show up and ensure our voice is heard.
Did you know Federal Way got its name from "Federal Highway 99" known today as SR-99 or Pacific Highway? We were literally named after a highway.
Federal Way Streets Alliance exists to change that, at least a little.
Right now this is just me tracking agendas, showing up to meetings, and advocating for change (with some wins already!). My current focus is Twin Lakes and nearby areas because that's where I know the streets and these priorities, but the vision is city-wide.
Why "Federal Way Streets Alliance"? It will take all of us aligning around pushing for safe streets in all areas of Federal Way. I want this to grow into something that touches and improves the whole city, neighborhood by neighborhood, and I need your help to make that happen.
If you want streets that feel safe to walk or roll on designed for people, the ability to build the life you want without requiring the use of a car, and to join together demanding this future for our city, this is for you.
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