Committee advances CDBG plan, accepts arts grant funds and state EV award; resident artists warn of shortfall

The Federal Way Parks, Recreation, Human Services and Public Safety Committee on April 8 voted to send the draft 2025'029 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) consolidated plan to a second public hearing and forwarded several grant acceptances and staff authorizations, while arts groups warned of a looming funding shortfall for resident artists at the Performing Arts and Events Center (the PAC).

The committee moved to forward the draft CDBG consolidated plan to the April 15 meeting for the required second public hearing; the plan includes an estimated annual HUD allocation of about $813,000 and four funding priorities: economic development, affordable housing, homelessness and establishing/maintaining suitable living environments. Community Development Director Keith Niven told the committee the money is being recommended across Community Economic Revitalization funding (CERF), administration and public services and that three proposed projects did not score high enough to receive awards (ACHD small business support, PimpSavvy microenterprise expansion and Upwards Boost), totaling $609,000 in requests that exceeded available funds.

Why it matters: The CDBG allocation shapes grant awards for local nonprofits and social services for 2025 and the consolidated plan process requires two public hearings and a public comment period; the committee's action keeps the schedule that would bring final council action on May 6.

Resident artists and…