by Jack Mayne The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded a $5 million grant to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to redevelop and create 732,000 square feet of air cargo-related warehouse space and support 1,072 new jobs in Burien’s Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA). Sen. Maria Cantwell announced the FAA grant Monday afternoon, Aug. 31. NERA is located between 8th Ave South, Des Moines Memorial Drive, and South 138th Street. Burien Mayor Lucy Krakowiak said the “grant award leverages city and port investments, state funding, and the hard work that our community has already put into redeveloping this area. Thanks to the efforts of our federal delegation, the funds will help us attract private sector investments and quality jobs to further boost our economy.”
The goal of the plan is to transform the area from a mixture of vacant, residential, public and small commercial land uses to uses compatible with airport operations and existing and planned surrounding land uses. Much of the redevelopment will be on land on which a redevelopment plan has already been completed in partnership with the Port of Seattle. The Port, in partnership with Burien, will redevelop 66.54 total acres of airport land within a portion of NERA, an area heavily impacted by Sea-Tac Airport activity. The completed project would result in approximately 732,000 square feet of air cargo-related warehouse space for new tenants and support 1,072 new jobs, said a news release by Sen. Maria Cantwell. “This $5 million FAA grant is a big win for Burien and Washington state,” said Cantwell. “By redeveloping this area, we support SeaTac’s growing air cargo business, ensure goods are shipped more efficiently.” “Smart investments in our transportation infrastructure means greater opportunities for Washington small businesses.” Port of Seattle Co-President Stephanie Bowman said the money pushed for by Cantwell indicates “the strong economic development partnership between the port and the City of Burien” adding that the “redevelopment of this property provides direct economic benefit to the Burien community.” Last fall, Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the Port of Seattle’s grant application to FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta, requesting the Port and City of Burien’s plans for economic redevelopment be approved.]]>