King County Executive Dow Constantine recently announced that three projects in East Federal Way have secured grants totaling $1,516,000 through the participatory budgeting process. Integrity Life Church will receive $1,250,000 to create a multifunctional community space accessible to all residents. The Federal Way Senior Center is set to receive $210,000 for improvements aimed at enhancing accessibility and overall functionality. Additionally, a $56,000 grant is designated for renaming part of Military Road South to honor Black pioneers John and Mary Conna, with a park in Federal Way also being named after them as part of a separate initiative. The participatory budgeting process, initiated in 2021, allows community members to submit ideas on how budget dollars can be effectively spent.

This year, 220 ideas were submitted, leading to seven proposals voted on by local residents. The increased voter participation indicates a growing interest in community-driven decision-making, and these grants reflect a commitment to enhancing community resources while recognizing the contributions of local history.