I have lived in Federal Way since 1979. I’m seeing a lot of new, high density, low-income housing developments. This issue drove residents to band together and create city-hood back in the day. Already these developments are having a major impact on our schools and police. Apparently, our city government and school board officials are just innocent bystanders looking the other way ignoring what is a viable mix of socio-economic groups needed to make a vibrant city.

Yet the city council is vigorously pursuing a Performing Arts and Event Center, or more likely a future homeless shelter, without a lot of public support. The reality is, families with resources are not going to locate to Federal Way and subject their children to our schools and yet these are the very people the city needs to attract to make the event center (and city) viable and vibrant.

I am very concerned that these housing developments will sap the resources of our excellent police force and force homeowners into spending more money to bolster a beleaguered force at the same time the city drains the public treasury on a boondoggle. Why can’t our public officials do something positive, like developing/permitting luxury high rises around the old Target site, across the street from express transit service to downtown Seattle? I think a lot of homeowners are of the opinion “lets get outta Dodge while the getting’s good.”

Dennis Pollard, Federal Way