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Sea-Tac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations — Section 9, Potential Socio-Economic Impacts and Mitigation

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Sea-Tac Airport
Third Runway
Mitigation Study

A 1997 study commissioned by cities and institutions near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport found that airport operations depress nearby property values compared to similar homes elsewhere in King County, and that properties directly under flight paths suffer additional losses from noise, visual pollution, and reduced quality of life. Researchers compared single-family homes around Sea-Tac with comparable homes in Northwest King County (Shoreline area), using strict criteria to ensure fair comparisons. The study notes that while overall regional growth means nearby home values may still rise over time, they appreciate more slowly than they would without the airport's presence.

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February 1997 initial assessment and recommendations report prepared by Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) and Raytheon Infrastructure Services for the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, and Normandy Park, Highline School District, and Highline Community Hospital, under a Washington State DCTED grant. Section 9 analyzes potential socio-economic impacts of Sea-Tac International Airport third runway construction, including depressed property values in Southwest King County compared to Northwest King County (Shoreline), shadow effects of flight paths using regression analysis, land use changes, home ownership tenure, local government revenue, and social service needs. Study compares ten Census Tracts around Sea-Tac to ten Census Tracts in Northwest King County using King County Assessor data on single-family housing units.

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