With so many opportunities before us, I want to congratulate Mayor Jim Ferrell for leading the charge to make meaningful changes in our community.

I’ve been intimately involved in Federal Way since 2000, when I was part of the second graduating class of Advancing Leadership. At that time, I remember seeing a community vision and the excitement that surrounded a new design to develop a downtown core here in this city. And now, almost 15 years later, we’re finally seeing a new, thoughtful, intentional and focused vision that is being brought forth by bold leadership.

Every time I drive down 320th Street and see the American flag, I’m filled with pride to be part of a community that values the meaning of that flag and willfully chooses to honor those who have served our country by showcasing that symbol of freedom on our main street.

As I drive past Town Square Park, especially during the warm months, and see people playing, resting and walking together, I see how it adds to our sense of community by bringing people together and creating a presence in our downtown core. Whether it’s the Farmers Market, mural art on the park walls or the tree lighting ceremony, it’s refreshing to see people enjoying this new gathering place.

Then, as I look up from the park to the Performing Arts and Conference Center building site, I’m excited to see the finished space and how it will draw people from all over to our city. And with the recent decision to purchase the land adjacent to the center, that’s just icing on the cake. I want to sincerely thank Ferrell for his bold leadership and our Council members who care enough to take a risk and support moving forward with a plan that will add life to a vision for our downtown core.

Susan Streifel, Woodstone Credit Union CEO, Federal Way