Federal Way District Fast-Growing Center

By H.J. GLOVER

Like a boy who has outgrown his knee-breeches and is shopping for a pair of long pants, Federal Way, 20 miles south of Seattle on Highway 99, is experiencing severe growing pains.

Not too distant is a time when Federal Way will take its place among the increasing family of Puget Sound cities.

Location given
Less than 10 years ago the community was little more than a wide place in the road. It owed its existence then to a brick school, grocery store and a service station.

Today, the community sprawls across an area bounded on north and south by S. 260th St. and S. 360th St., on the west by Puget Sound and the east by the White River Valley.

The main business section surrounds the intersection of S. 312th St. and Highway 99.

Credit for the town's amazing growth can be attributed largely to its energetic Chamber of Commerce, a hardworking group of business and professional men. Its president is Gerald Grothaus, drug store proprietor. Joe Martinson is secretary and Fred Clearman treasurer. Directors are Harold Lundstrom, Ole Slettevold, Phil Eichholtz, Art Reilly, Doug Stevenson and Francis Marckx.

Center planned
The outstanding current building project is a 20-acre shopping center, similar in design and purpose to Northgate. New houses, mainly in the $25,000 class, are being completed from day to day. Builders expect to complete another 500 houses within two years.

The community has an excellent school system. Enrollment is 1,789, of which 380 are high school students. Five volunteer fire units are deployed strategically at Star Lake, Redondo, Mirror Lake, Lakeland and Steet Lake.

One of the most active service organizations is the Lions Club, headed by Wayne Hill. The group currently is investigating the possibility of developing a youth center and playground.