Committee approves application to Port of Seattle grant for public market plan and World Cup community festival

The Federal Way committee voted to forward a city application to the Port of Seattle Economic Development Partnership Program that would fund two proposed projects: a business plan for a permanent Federal Way public market and a three-day community festival with FIFA World Cup watch parties. Director Neil told the committee that Federal Way is eligible for $120,000 in Port partnership funds in the 2025–26 two-year cycle and described two proposals: a public-market business-plan request of $51,000 (with a proposed city match of $26,000) and a $69,000 request to support a proposed three-day community festival and watch-party programming (with a $9,000 cash match and $25,000 in-kind match from the city). “Federal Way is eligible for a $120,000 in this grant cycle, which is $60,000 per year,” Director Neil said. He described the public-market funding as support for a business plan and marketing outreach and said the festival project would include indoor and outdoor activations at the Performing Arts Center (PAC), watch parties, multicultural entertainment, food vendors and family activities. Committee members asked for detail about how the festival budget would be spent, who would receive any event revenue and whether the PAC would be rented or donated as part of the in-kind city match. Director Neil said some festival budget items would cover viewing-rights fees, stage rental, booking acts, marketing, vendor accommodations and event staffing; he also said final budgets depend on licensing costs that the city does not yet know. Members discussed parking and hotel capacity, regional competition for World Cup-related events and outreach to local partners — including hotels, farmers market organizers and community groups — to create visitor pathways and encourage attendees to stay or spend locally. Neil said the city is coordinating with hotels and the PAC and that the Pack (PAC) has tentatively blocked the relevant weekend and that additional parking arrangements have been made with neighboring properties. Chair Huang Tran moved to forward the Port grant application request to the Aug. 12, 2025 consent agenda; the motion was seconded and passed 3-0. The application will be submitted under the Port program’s reimbursement model; Director Neil said projects could be adjusted with the Port after application if priorities change during the two-year grant period. The decision to accept any award and finalize matches will rest with the full City Council when the council considers the consent-item approval.