Federal Way Clears Wild Waves Site for Manufacturing
A city review finds the closed water park property can host manufacturing uses without a full environmental impact statement.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Commercial
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Federal Way Community Development Director Keith Niven determined that a Wild Waves development agreement amendment allowing manufacturing as a primary use has no probable significant adverse environmental impact. The park officially closed Nov. 1 after former operator Jeff Stock said it was no longer financially viable.
Why it matters
The decision opens the closed water park site to industrial redevelopment, a shift that could bring new employment and tax base to the city while raising questions about traffic, water discharge and emissions for nearby residents. The site's wetland and its 30-year development agreement from 1998 shape what can be built there.
The Podium I-5 proposal calls for an industrial shell building of roughly 1 million square feet for warehouse and office use on the site. The city's environmental review found no probable significant adverse impact, but the Podium I-5 application is still under review and final project impacts remain undetermined.
The players
Federal Way Community Development Department
The city department responsible for land use review, environmental determinations and permitting in Federal Way, Washington.
Jeff Stock
Former operator of the Wild Waves water park who said the park was no longer financially viable before it closed.
The details
The city amended the Wild Waves development agreement through a SEPA environmental checklist review completed by Stacey Welsh, and an environmental impact statement was not required. The Podium I-5 proposal would remove all existing site improvements, and the property, which already has been developed, contains a wetland subject to critical areas regulations.
Timeline
1998: Wild Waves Concomitant Development Agreement adopted for a 30-year term.
Oct. 30, 2026: Community Development Director Keith Niven issued the environmental non-significance determination.
Nov. 1, 2026: Wild Waves officially closed.
Nov. 13, 2026: Deadline for public comments to the Community Development Department.
Dec. 1, 2026: Deadline to file a written appeal with fee.
Real Estate Context
The Wild Waves decision was reached through a SEPA environmental checklist, the same state review used to evaluate land-use changes across Washington. The reviewed use change moves the closed park toward industrial redevelopment, a path the site's 1998 development agreement now permits.
Nearby residents can submit comments on the environmental determination through Nov. 13, 2026, and can file a written appeal with fee by Dec. 1, 2026. A future manufacturing project could increase traffic, noise, air emissions and water discharge in the surrounding area.
The takeaway
Residents who want to weigh in on the Wild Waves change have a short window: comments close Nov. 13, 2026, and appeals must be filed by Dec. 1, 2026. Watching the Podium I-5 review will show how the site's wetland and traffic concerns are handled.
What happens next
Public comments on the environmental determination are due Nov. 13, 2026, and a written appeal with fee must be filed by Dec. 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on commercial property changes like this one, see Commercial real estate coverage in Federal Way.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kent Reporter.
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Should former local attractions like Wild Waves be redeveloped into industrial warehouses?
