HEALing Suburbia: Healthy Eating and Active Living via the CPPW Grant

ProgramJanet Shull, AICP

Senior Planner

CPPW CASE STUDY: Federal Way, Washington

Federal Way’s StoryCity of 89,370 Pop (11th largest city in WA)Cul-de-sac style subdivisions prominentAuto-centricLow connectivityFew transportation through routes carrying high traffic volumesLast comprehensive assessment of our non-motorized network was in 1998

Typical NeighborhoodHigh volume arterials serving commercial land useSurrounding area is disconnected from nearby businessDifficult and infrequent street crossings

Neighborhood Characteristics

Impacts on Public HealthHigher than average rates of obesity and health risks as compared with rest of King County “FOCUS COMMUNITY”

Third highest adult obesity rate in King County (28.1% vs. 19.8% in KC).63.2% of adults are overweight in Federal Way ( 54.4% in KC)

Lower than county average percentage of travel by foot, bike and transit

Project OverviewCompressed timelineNot your typical consultant teamMultiple citizen input avenuesIncluded a “reality check” of community visionOur work was done within the larger coalition effort

Working Relationships – Project TeamSuccessful interdepartmental coordination City staff was part of production teamUnique team partnerships

University faculty/research partnersNon-profit organization partners

Included key decision-makers CPPW allowed for cities doing similar work to share information along the way

Working Relationships – CommunityUsed multiple modes of engagement

It actually cost less to set up and launch “Engage Federal Way” for 6 months than we had budgeted for one citywide mailing

Provided feedback as we moved forwardCoordinated efforts with local advocacy groups

Working Relationships – Elected OfficialsDon’t be afraid to challenge perceived preferences – you may be surprisedInvolve elected officials early and keep them in the loop throughout the processYou may find some new champions

Project OutcomesORDINANCE NO 12-718

AN ORDINANCE of the City of Federal Way Washington relating to

Complete Streets adding a new section to FWRC 19.135

ORDINANCE NO 12-721

AN ORDINANCE of the City of Federal Way Washington relating

to amendments to the City’s comprehensive plan and the adoption

of the

Twin Lakes Commercial District Subarea Plan

RESOLUTION NO 12-615A RESOLUTION of the City

Council of the City of Federal WayWashington relating to the

approval of the FEDERAL WAY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN

RESOLUTION NO 12-617A RESOLUTION of the City

Council of the City of Federal WayWashington related to

HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS POLICY

DEVELOPMENT

Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle & Pedestrian Master PlanExisting Network: 27 miles Proposed Network: +71 miles

Complete Streets Ordinance“Don’t check that box!”Educational workshop was key to successRegional approach Favorable positioning for future project funding Master plan illustrates a variety of “complete streets” typologies

Healthy Food Access PolicyFW citizens want access to healthy food!Identified link with non-motorized networkHas led to grant for implementation

Federal Way’s Lessons LearnedInvolve community early and oftenPartner with local nonprofits and educational institutionsBuild adequate start-up time into your project timelineDon’t be afraid to change your approach along the wayGive serious consideration to implementation resourcesCelebrate project completion

HEALing Suburbia: Healthy Eating and Active Living via the CPPW Grant

ProgramJanet Shull, AICP

Senior Planner

CPPW CASE STUDY: Federal Way, Washington