FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Federal Way has ambitious plans for thousands of housing units and commercial development around the new light rail station .

Mayor Jim Ferrell said the city is positioning itself to capitalize on being the final stop on the expanded line.

"We're putting the welcome sign out and saying 'Welcome home to Federal Way,'" Ferrell said.

A large plot of land adjacent to the Federal Way station has been approved for a civic plaza featuring mixed-use development with housing and retail space. City officials estimate Federal Way will need 11,000 additional housing units in its downtown core over the next two decades to accommodate expected growth.

The city's long-term vision includes redeveloping the Commons shopping center into a modern mixed-use complex; however, the sp

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