Federal Way council adopts resolution backing proposed 94‑bed youth psychiatric treatment facility after hours of debate

Mayor Farrell and the Federal Way City Council voted 4–3 Wednesday to adopt a resolution expressing the city’s support for a proposed psychiatric residential treatment facility to be operated by Emerald City Behavioral Health.

The vote followed a detailed presentation from Michael Clark, chief operating officer of Emerald City Behavioral Health, who described plans for an integrated youth services center he said would include short‑term and long‑term residential treatment, a secure withdrawal (detox) unit and an outpatient clinic. Clark said the operator plans 94 treatment beds and a mix of funding sources including Medicaid reimbursement and private investors. “Everyone deserves equitable, quality care, especially children,” Clark said during his presentation.

Why it matters: Council members split over whether the facility — which Emerald City says would bring jobs and a local continuum of care for youth with severe behavioral‑health and substance‑use needs — should receive a formal expression of local support while permitting, regulatory and community questions remain. Supporters argued the region lacks higher‑level youth treatment capacity and that Federal Way could benefit economically and clinically; opponents warned about…