Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell announced the formation of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel of local experts to help the city develop objective operational and financial information for the proposed Performing Arts and Conference Center (PACC).

“This panel will have expertise in nonprofit management, finance, venue management and the hospitality industry and will represent the Federal Way community,” Ferrell said. The mayor will select the panel with input from council members and community leaders.

The city is studying detailed design and business model information before making a decision whether to invest in building the facility. In the coming weeks, the city will work with a facility management expert to conduct an independent review and update of the 2013 facility pro forma with a focus on analyzing similar facilities that offer both performance and conference center operations.

The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel is intended to serve as a community voice for independent and objective expertise and will provide a key element in the decision making process. Among tasks for the panel is a preliminary report for the City Council’s March 8 retreat and participation in an April council study session on the project. The panel is anticipated to be a six-month commitment.

“With the panel’s help, we will not be arguing about the facts at the end of this process, because we will have thoroughly vetted and know the facts,” said Ferrell. “Instead, we’ll be making a policy decision about how best to advance downtown economic development.”

The proposed PACC would be a multipurpose venue for performing arts, conferences, seminars and meetings, and would be located adjacent to the Federal Way Transit Center.

More information is available at www.cityoffederalway.com/PACC.

Those interested in applying can contact Kathy Arndt at the mayor’s office at (253) 835-2402 or Kathy.arndt@cityoffederalway.com.