In a May 1976 letter to King County Councilwoman Bernice Stern, Seattle Port Commission President Henry T. Simonson outlined two key decisions regarding land adjacent to Sea-Tac International Airport. The Port ruled out acquiring the 35-acre 'west acquisition area' due to high costs, excessive development expenses, and lack of foreseeable airport-related demand, while agreeing that any existing development there must follow carefully formulated guidelines. For the 'southeast conversion area' — 85 small homes in Lowe's Terrace Subdivision — the Port acknowledged that standard acoustic insulation treatment may not be cost-effective, and flagged the neighborhood as a candidate for a special purchase guarantee program to assist with gradual land-use conversion.Open full document
Notes
A letter from Henry T. Simonson, President of the Seattle Port Commission, to King County Councilwoman Bernice Stern regarding two specific areas adjacent to Sea-Tac International Airport: the ‘west acquisition area’ and the ‘southeast conversion area.’ The letter outlines the Port’s decision not to acquire the 35-acre westside hilltop property, citing acquisition costs, excessive development costs, and lack of foreseeable demand. It also addresses the southeast conversion area known as Lowe’s Terrace Subdivision and its potential treatment under the Noise Remedy Program.