| October 4, 2024
PORT COMMISSION AGENDA & OTHER NOTABLES Welcome to this 112th edition of Port Commission Agenda & Other Notables. We’ll be updating you on upcoming Port Commission agenda items that may of interest to Airport cities, as well as other timely, notable Port activities and opportunities. We initiated this as part of our commitment to ensuring timely communications on upcoming Port issues, particularly those related to Sea-Tac Airport. October 8, 2024 – Port Commission Special Meeting Agenda The next Port Commission meeting is considered a SPECIAL MEETING because it will be held at the SEA Conference Center instead of Pier 69 (as usual). The meeting will be this coming Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 12pm to 5pm. The meeting will be held both virtually and in-person at SEA’s International Conference Center, on the Mezzanine level, at SEA. . PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION FOR THIS MEETING PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR OCTOBER 8th The Commission meeting will be held in person, and virtually. During the regular order of business, those wishing to provide public comment will have the opportunity to: 1) Deliver public comment via email: All written comments received by email to commission-public-records@portseattle.org will be distributed to commissioners and attached to the approved minutes. 2) Deliver public comment via phone or Microsoft Teams conference: To take advantage of this option, please email commission-public-records@portseattle.org with your name and the topic you wish to speak to by 9:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, October 8th. You will then be provided with instructions and a link to join the Teams meeting. 3) Deliver public comment in person by signing up to speak on your arrival to the physical meeting location: To take advantage of this option, please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of any regular meeting to sign-up on the public comment sheet available at the entrance to the meeting room. For additional information, contact commission-public-records@portseattle.org. Notable Special Orders that may be of interest: · Proclamation declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day for the Port of Seattle Notable items on the Consent Agenda that may be of interest: · Monthly notification of prior Executive Director Delegation Actions for September 2024. · Authorizing the Executive Director to convey a Port-owned K9 to its Handler. · Order No. 2024-11, amending the deadline for the Youth Maritime Career Launch Program, supporting program updates, and requiring a program evaluation.
Notable items on the Unfinished Business that may be of interest: · None
Notable items on the New Business that may be of interest: · Order No. 2024-12, directing staff to prepare and submit documentation to the Federal Aviation Administration to designate North SeaTac Park for recreational uses, as outlined in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. Notable items on the Presentations and Staff Reports that may be of interest: · South King County Community Impact Fund program briefing · Economic Development Division Operating and Capital Budgets briefing
You can find the complete meeting agenda packet at the Port’s temporary website HERE.
Port Commission Order Regarding North SeaTac Park On next Tuesday’s agenda is Order No. 2024-12, which would start Port activities necessary to meet the requirements described in Section 706 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, entitled “Community Use of Airport Land”, in order to meet all requirements of the legislative provision necessary to “permanently restrict the use of airport property to compatible recreational and public park use” with respect to any or all of the North SeaTac Park property owned by the Port of Seattle.
SAMP NTP Draft NEPA E.A. to be Published October 21, 2024 Publication and start of the public comment period for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan Near-Term Projects (SAMP NTP) draft National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment (NEPA EA) will begin on Monday, October 21, 2024.
The Puget Sound region is projected to grow by another one million people by 2035. To accommodate this future demand and align with our sustainability goals, the SAMP outlines a strategic blueprint for SEA’s development. The plan includes 31 Near-Term Projects (NTPs), including a second terminal, an elevated busway, and new cargo facilities.
As part of the NEPA requirements, this EA for the SAMP NTPs evaluates the potential impacts of these projects and provides an opportunity for public input. We encourage you to visit the SAMP website to learn more about the plan, the proposed NTPs, and the NEPA process. Your feedback is important to us.
We will be reaching out to connect with your City Councils after the start of the public comment period on October 21st. There will also be public meetings scheduled to solicit community members’ input, scheduled for November 13th, November 14th, and November 16th. Details on the times and locations of the public meetings will be available and shared shortly.
The comment period will be open from October 21, 2024, through December 5, 2024. Official comments can be submitted in-person at one of the public meetings, by email, by mail, or on the SAMP website once the public comment period opens on October 21st.
Valley Police Agencies’ Diversity in Law Enforcement Workshop – Nov. 2, 2024 Valley Police Agencies in South King County (Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Tukwila, and Port of Seattle) have partnered to host a Diversity in Law Enforcement Career Workshop. This workshop is designed to help potential law enforcement applicants navigate the hiring process and increase the diversity of our applicant pool and workforce. Many people develop an interest in a law enforcement career through someone they know in the profession or from a personal life experience. However, many in our community may not be aware of the profession’s benefits and rewards or may not envision themselves in the role. Additionally, they may perceive the hiring process as too challenging. This workshop aims to show potential applicants that becoming a police officer in South King County is a viable and rewarding career option! Diversity in Law Enforcement: Career Workshop RSVP Deadline: October 27. Please share this with your communities.
Final SEPA DNS on S Concourse Evolution (SCE) Project – September 30, 2024 The two-week SEPA comment period closed on the S Concourse Evolution Project (SCE) on Friday, September 20th. The primary objective of the SCE Project is to extend the useful life of the 51-year-old building and to meet current building code requirements, particularly seismic upgrades. The secondary purpose of the project is to enhance the passenger experience by renovating interior spaces to accommodate more dining and retail options (including Duty Free shopping). The project includes a number of facilitating changes to accommodate aircraft when gates are closed for construction. Unlike the N Concourse renovation, no additional gates will be added to the S Concourse. The link to the project SEPA Environmental Checklist and Determination of Non-Significance are listed HERE. No public comments were submitted, and the Final SEPA DNS was issued on September 30, 2024. You can find the Final SEPA DNS HERE.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Posts Noise Policy Review Comments The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted their summary of comments received for the Noise Policy Review that they currently have underway. StART members submitted a comprehensive letter speaking to various aspects of the current policy, and proposed changes to it. You can find the Noise Policy Review Comments Summary HERE. Given the detailed response that the Port and StART provided, a number of the comments should stand out as being related to what we collectively submitted.
Port Announces 11 New Dining & Retail for Upcoming C Concourse Expansion On Monday, September 30th the Port of Seattle announced 11 new dining and retail concepts, which were selected in a competitive bidding process for locations at SEA Airport. The new concessions are set to fill SEA’s expanded C Concourse, an Upgrade SEA capital project that adds four floors to the existing building currently under construction. Travelers will recognize popular local and global brands serving up burgers, macarons, barbecue, and more. Selected concepts were: Nanny’s: A Northwest BBQ Joint; Coffee & Lucky Lounge; Connections Gourmet Market; Chili’s; Buffalo Wild Winds Go; Port of Subs; Great State Burger; Bite Society; and Lady Yum Macarons. C Concourse Expansion is expected to be completed in 2027.
Activity at SEA Information for this report is unavailable at this time.
Upgrade SEA The airport’s Main Terminal was designed to process 30 million passengers and has served more than 50 million people. Some 45.9 million passengers used the airport in 2022, over 50 million passengers used the airport in 2023, and approximately 51 million passengers are expected to use the airport in 2024.
Upgrade SEA is the capital projects campaign that focuses on major projects and construction happening around the airport. We want passengers to be comfortable and have an efficient passenger experience while having all the comforts necessary without the long lines. We want travelers to be able to spend their time discovering the latest services and amenities the airport has to offer as well as enjoying the plethora of dining and retail options.
In addition to the major capital programs that develop or significantly modernize facilities, the airport manages nearly 100 additional projects that improve the travel experience and help airlines implement their own customer service programs. Improvements at checkpoints, baggage claim, gate waiting areas, shops and restaurants, and restrooms are currently underway.
Here’s a rundown of some of the projects currently under construction, in planning, or coming up for environmental review this year.
Roadway Improvements As anyone who has visited SEA in the past few years knows, traffic routinely backs-up on the airport drives, particularly when picking up arriving passengers or entering the parking garage. The Roadway Improvements Project (aka Widen Arrivals Roadway Project) will create a more efficient throughway and help improve safety and relieve congestion. Existing lanes will be rededicated for efficient traffic flow and two additional lanes will be added to create dedicated lanes for parking and shuttles/courtesy vehicles. Creating these dedicated lanes will help get commercial vehicles and shuttles off the path of passenger vehicles in order to help minimize congestion and queueing for guests needing access to the Departures and Arrivals Drives curbside. Major construction is progressing, with lane restrictions to allow for the work to be done. This phase of the project is anticipated to be completed in 2026.
South 188th Street Tunnel Improvements For the past few years, the Port and City of SeaTac have been working to make safety improvements to the South 188th Street Tunnel. The Port owns the structure, and SeaTac owns the roadway and sidewalks. SeaTac completed a paving project with some stormwater improvements in 2022, and signs have recently been posted that prohibit hazardous materials from transiting the tunnel. The Port’s project will improve lighting, signage, fire detection, monitor carbon monoxide, repair cracks and spalls, traffic signals, emergency communications, security measures, and emergency power. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by Q3 2025. Note that there will be periodic lane closures on S. 188th Street during the course of the project.
SEA Gateway Project The SEA Gateway Project (aka North Main Terminal Redevelopment Project-NMTRP) will redevelop the Ticketing level (known as Zones 6 and 7), where Alaska Airlines has its ticketing counters. The project will improve passenger processing with ease access to the security checkpoints and update/upgrade the passenger experience at the north end of the main terminal with new technology and improved check-in and bag drop process. Self-ticketing and baggage handling kiosks have opened on the promenade level. Barricades have been up on both the Baggage Claim and Ticketing Levels, and shifting as the work progresses. The project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2026.
Checkpoint 1 Relocation Security Checkpoint 1 is currently located on the Ticketing Level and classified as CLEAR or TSA Pre-Check only. This project will relocate this checkpoint to the Lower Baggage Claim Level and give it more space for queueing lines and screening capacity. It will also become available for General Screening as well which will create a better flow of passengers through the screening process. Construction is slowly progressing in Gina Marie Lindsay Hall as the layout for the new Checkpoint 1 takes shape. The project is hoped to be completed by Q1 2025.
A Concourse Building Expansion for Lounges The Port of Seattle has developed a plan to meet existing lounge and concessions deficiencies on the south end of SEA. This project will add 52,000 square feet of additional space at the end of the A Concourse. A new two-level Delta Sky Club Lounge will be added as well as a newly reimagined Club SEA Lounge. The current Club SEA will get a huge redesign and double in size with this project. Major construction began in June 2023, and steel framing work topped off early this year. Delta Air’s build-out is now anticipated to be completed in 2025.
C Concourse Expansion The C Concourse Expansion Project will add additional floors to the current C1 Building (located next to C Concourse and Main Concourse) and provide additional space for dining, retail, and lounge options for passengers. As with other areas of the dated Main Terminal, there is a lack of space to meet current demand for passenger dining options. The building will add four floors to the existing structure, providing for two floors of dining and retail, improved space for the TSA, additional office space, and lounge space. Steel erection will soon be underway. The project is anticipated to be substantially completed in mid-2026.
S Concourse Evolution (SCE) Formerly known as the South Satellite Renovation & Renewal Project. The project includes significant structural (seismic, HVAC, and utility) upgrades to the 51-year-old structure, as well as reprogramming space in the building for more dining and retail options, due to the shift of the Federal Inspection Service to the IAF and the Delta Airlines Lounge relocating to A Concourse. A non-SAMP project, there will be no new gates added to S Concourse; the focus of this project is on making the existing building more safe and more welcoming for international passengers and airlines. AECOM was selected to do the design and engineering work, with Hensel Phelps being selected as General Contractor/Construction Manager for this $1.5 billion project. The SEPA public comment period closed on September 20th with no comments. The Final SEPA Determination of Non-Significance was posted September 30th and can be found HERE. Major construction is expected to begin in 2026, and the project completed in 2032.
Baggage Optimization This is a multiphase project to go from six aging baggage handling systems to one unified system. Moving to one system from multiple systems will improve the timely delivery of baggage for all airline passengers, in a much more efficient manner. Phases 1 and 2 are completed, and Phase 3 of the five-phase project construction has begun. All phases of the project are expected to be completed by 2027.
SEA Underground Controls Replacement The SEA Underground (aka Satellite Transit System – STS) is getting an upgrade to its Automatic Train Control (ATC) system. Critical components are being replaced and the software system is getting an upgrade to help make the train system run more efficiently. This project is planned for four phases, with the first phase beginning this year. A complex project, nighttime closures have begun, with more major closures anticipated for 2024-26.
Restroom Renovation This project is replacing and/or refreshing restrooms on the B, C, and D Concourses. This five-phase project is currently in Phase 4 which is providing new and expanded restrooms, including an All-Gender Restroom getting ready to open in Q2 2023. Phase 5 will kick off later this year and will renovate the existing restrooms to new standards and incorporate adult changing tables, mother’s room, animal relief areas, and additional family restrooms. Phase 4 was completed in 2023, and Phase 5 construction is set to begin later this year. The all-gender restroom on the D Concourse opened in July 2023. Work is underway on D Concourse restrooms.
Meditation and Sensory Rooms The Commission approved design and construction at the February 11th meeting for a relocated and expanded meditation room, and the addition of a new sensory room in the south Main Terminal. The rooms will provide quiet space for passengers looking for space to pray, meditate, and to accommodate those who need a peaceful environment due to sensory-related challenges. A similar facility is planned for the S Concourse.
SEA Signage and Wayfinding Masterplan Wayfinding is one of the Airport’s key indicators of the level of service and opinions from our travelers indicates that SEA’s wayfinding scores low relative to our peer airports. The Signage and Wayfinding Masterplan is intended to provide recommendations and standards that, when implemented, will improve the ability of the passengers to navigate the airport environment. The overall plan has been under development for the past few years. The scope includes signage inside the terminal, on the drives, and in the garage. The Port has been working collaboratively with the City of SeaTac on roadway signage at City access points. You can begin to see some of the signage and wayfinding changes taking effect, both in the terminal and on the landside of the airport (note the Cell Phone Lot signage for example.) Expect to see more in the months and years to come.
Landscaping Masterplan The Landscape Masterplan (completed in 2019) focuses on providing an over-arching landscape design concept that applies to the Airport campus’s public areas that are experienced and seen by visitors and customers. The concept promotes a colorful, unified aesthetic that gives visitors a sense of place and reflects the Pacific Northwest region. A project is currently being developed to enhance the landscaping directly adjacent to the IAF along S. 182nd Street, based on recommendations in the Landscape Masterplan. A number of landscape improvements may move forward in 2024 and 2025 in advance of the thousands of people attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle.
Both the Landscape Master Plan (Landscape Standards), and Wayfinding Master Plan (SEA Signage Standards) can be found at Port’s Design Standards and Guidelines webpage.changes taking effect, both in the terminal and on the landside of the airport (note the new Cell Phone Lot signage for example.) Expect to see more in the months and years to come.
Landscaping Masterplan The Landscape Masterplan (completed in 2019) focuses on providing an over-arching landscape design concept that applies to the Airport campus’s public areas that are experienced and seen by visitors and customers. The concept promotes a colorful, unified aesthetic that gives visitors a sense of place and reflects the Pacific Northwest region. A project is currently being developed to enhance the landscaping directly adjacent to the IAF along S. 182nd Street, based on recommendations in the Landscape Masterplan. A number of landscape improvements may move forward in 2024 and 2025 in advance of the thousands of people attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle.
Both the Landscape Master Plan (Landscape Standards), and Wayfinding Master Plan (SEA Signage Standards) can be found at Port’s Design Standards and Guidelines webpage |