OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Department of Commerce announced that Stantec Consulting Services Inc. has been selected to complete a study of the ongoing impacts of growing operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The department put out a competitive request for proposals for the project in March. Stantec is a global firm with 250 offices across North America, including Seattle.
Seattle-Tacoma ranks among the fastest-growing airports in the U.S., with operations up 23 percent between 2014 and 2016, and continuing to climb.
The state Legislature requested the study last year and directed Commerce to procure a consultant to evaluate impacts on quality of life associated with Sea-Tac air traffic noise, public health, traffic, congestion, parking in residential areas, pedestrian access to and around the airport, public safety and crime within the cities, effects on residential and non-residential property values, and economic development opportunities.
Commerce worked with staff and public representatives of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila and state legislators to develop the statement of work. The study is co-funded with $300,000 from the cities and $300,000 from the state.
Stantec will be responsible for research and collecting data and relevant information from all appropriate sources to develop the study which is expected to be complete by June 2020.
Rep. Tina Orwall said, “Sea-Tac is one of the fastest growing airports in the nation. A decade ago it was projected that by 2030 we would have 30 million passengers move through Sea-Tac. Last year, we reached 50 million. This increased air traffic has had an effect on our South King County communities. This study will give us a framework to better understand how this growth has touched our communities on issues that include health, noise, property values and provide ways that may be able to mitigate these concerns. We are pleased with the expertise Stantec brings to this process, including their work on the previous study they conducted 21 years ago.”
“Stantec brings a national reputation with a deep understanding of local community perspective,” said said Mark Barkley, assistant director of the local government division at Commerce. “Combined with expertise in bringing together planning, engineering, design and science, theirs comprehensive approach aligns with our mission of strengthening communities.”
Contact:
Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications, 206-256-6106