Sea-Tac City Center Plan Update: Market Analysis

This March 2024 market analysis, prepared by Leland Consulting Group for the City of SeaTac, evaluates the feasibility of transforming the SeaTac City Center/Airport District from a predominantly auto-oriented area into a compact, walkable urban district with transit-oriented development. The report identifies key challenges including high land costs, long-term land leases, and an existing built environment dominated by hotels, airport parking lots, and multifamily housing that are economically successful but difficult to redevelop. It concludes that while achieving the City Center vision is possible, it will require significant incremental and transformative changes supported by targeted implementation actions.

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Market analysis report prepared by Leland Consulting Group (LCG) in collaboration with Otak, Inc. for the City of SeaTac, Washington, dated March 2024, as part of the SeaTac City Center Plan Update (Subarea Plan). Evaluates feasibility of transit-oriented development (TOD) vision for the City Center/Airport District, replacing the original 1999 City Center Plan. Analyzes multifamily housing, hospitality (hotels/motels), airport-serving parking, and ground-floor commercial real estate markets. Identifies market-based challenges including built-out district, long-term land leases south of S 176th Street, auto-oriented built environment, and competition with other cities for development. References Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), SeaTac/Airport light rail station, SeaTac Housing Action Plan (2021), and City Center Phase 1 Vision Report (2020). PRR26-564, document UC-BR-12.

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