Song proposes higher education expansion for Weyerhaeuser Federal Way campus
Published 9:53 am Thursday, August 28, 2014
With timber corporation Weyerhaeuser moving their headquarters from Federal Way to Seattle, the community has begun considering what will happen to Weyerhaeuser’s 430 acre campus in Federal Way. With the loss of approximately 800 local jobs, area leaders need to be examining how to replace those jobs in the local economy and how to keep Federal Way’s economy thriving.
Shari Song, the Democratic candidate to replace retiring Sen. Tracey Eide in the 30th legislative district Senate seat, responded with a proposal for the state to explore using the Weyerhaeuser corporate campus to expand higher education opportunities sorely lacking in South King County.
“People in South King County deserve to have higher education opportunities close to home,” said Song. “We have community colleges and vocational training, but no four year degree option. When I’m in the Senate, I’ll direct the state to explore the feasibility of bringing a WSU or another state university branch campus to Federal Way at the Weyerhaeuser campus.”
New four year branch campuses have opened across the state in recent years, but not in South King County. UW has opened branch campuses in Bothell and Tacoma, while WSU has branch campuses in Spokane, the Tri-Cities, Vancouver and has just opened a new branch in Everett.
“Snohomish County finally got their four-year degree option when WSU Everett opened,” said Song. “Now it should be South King County’s turn. Our population is expanding. The demand is here. We need leaders who will fight for expanding higher education opportunities close to home.”
“Regardless of the final use of this campus, we have a real opportunity to bring new jobs and economic development to South King County if we make the key transportation investments we know need to happen,” said Song. “Investing in Hwy 167, 509 and the Federal Way Triangle will reduce traffic congestion, help businesses move freight and make it easier for people to get to work. I’m committed to making these investments, while my opponent says he’ll refuse to make any new transportation investments until unrelated policy matters are addressed. That’s the wrong answer for the businesses and people of Federal Way – we need better transportation now.”
Song has been endorsed by Sen. Tracey Eide, South King County Firefighters, the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, and many other groups. She is running on a platform of transportation investment and job creation, fully funding education, and protecting women’s health care choices.
