South Station Subarea Plan

DRAFT Subarea Plan Published for Public Review

The Draft South Station Subarea Plan has been published for Public Review! You can read the South Station Subarea Plan here.

Project Overview

The South Station Subarea Plan (the Subarea Plan) is a small geographic long-range plan that is envisioned to serve as a policy guide for future development around the future Sound Transit TDLE Link Rail Station scheduled to open in 2035.


Key aspects of the Subarea Plan will include a high-level conceptual land use plan for future mixed-use development and redevelopment. The Subarea Plan will align market realities and community visions and goals for this new neighborhood.

Project Planning Area

The Tacoma Dome Link Extension is scheduled to open and serve the Federal Way community in 2032. In line with leveraging this investment in regional transportation, the City of Federal Way applied for and was successfully designated a Countywide Growth Center (CGC) Candidate by the Growth Management Planning Council. This interim designation will allow the City of Federal Way to participate in countywide transportation funding competitions. The CGC designation requires the City to prepare a subarea plan that will be adopted as part of the 2024 Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan.

The Subarea Planning Area, as shown on the map above currently scores low on walkability, bike-ability, and access to transit. The area is described as car-dependent, requiring a car for most errands, with minimal transit service and bicycle infrastructure. Photos on this webpage provide a sense of the existing context.

DRAFT Subarea Plan Published for Public Review

The Draft South Station Subarea Plan has been published for Public Review! You can read the South Station Subarea Plan here.

Project Overview

The South Station Subarea Plan (the Subarea Plan) is a small geographic long-range plan that is envisioned to serve as a policy guide for future development around the future Sound Transit TDLE Link Rail Station scheduled to open in 2035.


Key aspects of the Subarea Plan will include a high-level conceptual land use plan for future mixed-use development and redevelopment. The Subarea Plan will align market realities and community visions and goals for this new neighborhood.

Project Planning Area

The Tacoma Dome Link Extension is scheduled to open and serve the Federal Way community in 2032. In line with leveraging this investment in regional transportation, the City of Federal Way applied for and was successfully designated a Countywide Growth Center (CGC) Candidate by the Growth Management Planning Council. This interim designation will allow the City of Federal Way to participate in countywide transportation funding competitions. The CGC designation requires the City to prepare a subarea plan that will be adopted as part of the 2024 Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan.

The Subarea Planning Area, as shown on the map above currently scores low on walkability, bike-ability, and access to transit. The area is described as car-dependent, requiring a car for most errands, with minimal transit service and bicycle infrastructure. Photos on this webpage provide a sense of the existing context.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • I was in Auburn near the sounder station last week during the day and there are many big apartment/condo buildings but not many people on the street and closed storefronts. It would be good for us to have a vibrant community not just a place people commute from every day.

    Ben asked about 2 years ago

    Thank you for your comment. The Draft South Station Subarea Plan includes an implementing actions to encourage active uses on the ground floor for both residential and commercial buildings and support businesses like restaurants, services, pedestrian-oriented establishments, gyms, entertainment venues, and retail creates a lively and attractive community.

  • Connecting the two large land areas station adjacent together with a wide pedestrian bridge over Enchanted Parkway. The Costco side is already elevated.

    Ben asked about 2 years ago

    Thank you for your comment. The existing roadway network through the South Station Subarea presents challenges for increased non-motorized mobility associated with and necessary for the future light rail station. As the area begins to redevelop with denser, mixed-use projects, there will need to be attention given to overcoming these challenges. As the City is currently far along in looking for opportunities to improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility in its Downtown, through a grade separated pedestrian oriented crossing South 320th Street enhancing connectivity in Downtown Federal Way, crossing Pacific Highway, Enchanted Parkway South, and South 348th Street in the Subarea will also require similar creativity, planning, and capital investments. 

Page last updated: 26 Sep 2024, 10:40 AM