Federal Way honors von Reichbauer with “Key to the City;” praised for local service and saving Seahawks

January 22, 2014

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Councilmember von Reichbauer receives Federal Way’s first ever “Key to the City” from Mayor Jim Ferrell.

On Tuesday night, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer was presented with Federal Way’s first ever “Key to the City” by Mayor Jim Ferrell in recognition of his longtime service on behalf of South King County, and his effort to encourage Paul Allen to buy the Seattle Seahawks. Pete von Reichbauer previously represented Federal Way in the State Senate and now represents the city on the King County Council.

As a State Senator, von Reichbauer was instrumental in bringing the Goodwill Games to Federal Way and establishing the King County Aquatic Center. One of von Reichbauer’s most notable regional accomplishments is preventing the Seattle Seahawks from moving to California in 1996; the Seattle Times (Feb. 3, 1996) called him a “hero of the fight,” and former county executive Ron Sims said: “Pete von Reichbauer did a fantastic job keeping the Seahawks in Seattle. I don’t believe it would’ve happened without his intervention.” (Oct. 28, 2013).

“I would like to thank Mayor Ferrell and the Federal Way City Council for this honor”, said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “To be the first recipient of this award is a real privilege. My work would not have been possible without the help of the many people I have partnered with over the years”, continued von Reichbauer.

Councilmember von Reichbauer noted that while he was proud to be mentioned as an instrumental figure in “saving the Seahawks,” it was Paul Allen and his personal commitment to save professional football, as well as the entire Allen Family, who deserves the real credit in “the fight to keep our Hawks here”.

Some of von Reichbauer’s other accomplishments on behalf of Federal Way include initiating the I-5 Triangle Project with Congressman Adam Smith, preserving the Hylebos Wetlands and Bingaman Pond, and saving the Steel Lake little league ball fields. In November, von Reichbauer was re-elected to a new term on the King County Council, where he represents Federal Way, as well the cities of Algona, Auburn, Kent, Milton, Pacific, and large areas of unincorporated King County.



Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, Mayor Jim Ferrell, and members of the Federal Way City Council at the city’s very first “Key to the City” presentation.