​“We are working to build a community where opportunity thrives.  Federal Way is a place where residents, workers, and businesses can fully pursue their version of the American Dream."  -Mayor Jim Ferrell 

Mayor Jim Ferrell believes government works best when it’s guided by the voice of the people.  Always seeking to increase resident access to municipal government and build a more equitable and inclusive community, the Mayor has led successful efforts to improve transparency and community outreach.  Establishing the first African American Black Quarterly meeting and continuing successful programs like Federal Way's Neighborhood Connections and Virtual Town Hall's, Mayor Ferrell continually seeks the input of those who call Federal Way home.  

A strong believer in the importance of access to education, Mayor Ferrell has worked with the University of Washington-Tacoma and Highline College to bring a campus to Federal Way through the University Initiative – ensuring scholars have the opportunity to not only grow up in a great town, but also go to college right here in our community. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Ferrell has led by following public health recommendations, helping open drive-thru testing, delivering rental assistance to those in need, and supporting small businesses and workers through CARES Act funding.  By partnering with El Centro De La Raza, Mayor Ferrell saw the distribution of more than $500,000 in emergency assistance go to the BIPOC community, ensuring residents could stay in their homes during the difficuclt COVID driven depression. 





His key accomplishments include:

  • Creating Town Square Park, a Low Impact Development, which serves as the “beating heart” of our community
  • Developing a balanced and objective financial plan to build the Performing Arts & Event Center
  • Building the Town Center Steps, connected Town Square Park, the PAEC, and future development while promoting access and walkability
  • Advocating for Light Rail to travel down I-5 to Federal Way, growing economic opportunity, and ensuring downtown redevelopment through Transit Oriented Development
  • Converting to LED streetlights and beginning Federal Way’s conversion to an electric vehicle fleet
  • Withdrawing from the SCORE Jail System, saving the City more than $4 million
  • Deploying increased resources to keep neighborhoods safe from graffiti and chronic distressed properties
  • Establishing the City's first African American Black Community Quarterly Meeting
  • Hiring the City's first Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager
  • Securing the donation of the historical Brooklake Community Center property to the parks department
  • Dedicating Downtown’s 60-foot flagpole and designating Veterans Way
  • Issuing a city proclamation for Black Lives Matter and raising the Juneteenth flag
  • Saving public health services for more than 13,000 low-income women and their children
  • Creating a structurally balanced 2021-2022 budget
  • Supporting small businesses during the pandemic by signing more than half a million dollars worth of CARES Act Grants
  • Convening the Mayor’s Homelessness Task Force and acting on recommendations to help create the Pete Anderson FUSION Family Center, helping serve over one hundred families in need per year
  • Ensuring greater oversight of the Federal Way Police Department, discontinuing use of chokeholds, and working toward a body camera program
  • Creating the Shop Local Federal Way website to help support Federal Way businesses by encouraging residents to shop local.  It is also a great directory of businesses in Federal Way.

In addition to the efforts above, Mayor Ferrell believes government works best when it’s guided by the voice of the people.  He introduced several efforts to increase resident access to their municipal government.  With improved transparency and community outreach efforts like the well-attended Neighborhood Connection meetings and the "New Day Federal Way" program on Channel 21, our community has many new ways to connect with their City. 



Term Began: January 1, 2014

(Third) Term Expires: December 31, 2025

 

Regional Representation

Mayor Ferrell represents the City of Federal Way on the following regional committees:

 

Mayor Ferrell's Biographical Information

Longtime Federal Way residents, Jim and his wife Wendy are raising their 15-year-old son in the city they call home. Jim graduated from the University of Washington and earned his law degree from Gonzaga University.

He also played football as a walk on UW Husky linebacker under Hall of Fame Coach Don James in the mid-1980’s.

After a devastating knee injury at the end of his sophomore season, Jim battled back and played for his Junior and Senior Season.

As a result of his dedication and can do attitude, Jim received the Guy Flaherty Award – the storied football program’s oldest and most prestigious recognition for inspiration. Voted on by his teammates. Jim Ferrell was the first walk on, non-starter to ever receive the award. 

 

Contact Mayor Ferrell

If you would like to email Mayor Ferrell, please click here.  He is always glad to hear from citizens.