Delegation lists multimillion-dollar wins for 30th District projects, including Highline College and Camp Kilworth

State legislators told the Federal Way City Council on July 15 that the 2025 session produced several district-specific capital and planning awards, which the delegation said reflect multi-jurisdictional and nonprofit partnerships. Key grants and awards cited by lawmakers included: $1 million for a Highline College hub, $1 million for a dual-language program at Highline, $1 million for lodge repairs at YMCA Camp Kilworth (phase 2), $1 million for Fusion Family Center to acquire land and about $250,000 for planning a youth/young-adult shelter in partnership with Calvary Lutheran Church, $1 million for the El Centro Mercado project and $766,000 for Pacific Bonsai Museum renovations. The delegation also highlighted two regional transportation grants: work on State Route 164 East Auburn access and a hot-lane (high-occupancy toll) expansion on State Route 167 at the 270th/7th area; lawmakers said these projects have regional benefits that will affect residents in the Thirtieth Legislative District. Why it matters: The delegation framed these as wins for the district that will support education, cultural amenities, youth services and regional mobility. Council members asked for continued coordination so similar projects stay on state transportation and capital lists and do not fall off after a single year of advocacy. Council feedback and concerns: Council President Asafo Dawson and others asked for clarity on project siting and coordination — for example, how El Centro’s mercado would be located on a constrained parcel near busy streets and how multiple farmers’ markets in the city should be coordinated to avoid duplicative efforts. Council members asked the delegation to keep recurring projects on the state lists so long-term projects continue to progress. Follow-up: Lawmakers invited city staff to keep projects on future lists and offered to meet with city and nonprofit staff to address siting and funding questions. Senator Wilson and Representatives Reeves and Taylor said they would continue to advocate regionally for transportation projects that may not lie entirely within Federal Way but affect district residents.