TagDes Moines(255)

The Port of Seattle filed a Washington State Leasehold Tax Return for the quarter ending December 31, 2019, reporting a total tax due of $4,804,044.04. The largest portion—$3,195,883.82—was generated from SeaTac leases with taxable rent of approximately $24.9 million, alongside additional revenue from Waterfront, Des Moines, and Burien locations. Payment of the full amount was submitted via ACH Debit on January 31, 2020, one day before the deadline.

In November 2019, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) presented findings from the SR 518 Corridor Planning Study to the Highline Forum in Des Moines, WA. The study, mandated by a 2017 legislative proviso and funded with $500,000 from the legislature plus an additional $400,000 from the Port of Seattle, examined traffic conditions and improvement alternatives along the SR 518 corridor near Sea-Tac Airport. The presentation covered traffic analysis, alternatives screening, and recommended improvement packages, with a final report due by November 30, 2019.

The Highline Forum held its end-of-year meeting on November 20, 2019, at Des Moines Beach Park Event Center, featuring updates on airport noise mitigation from the Port of Seattle's StART program, a SR 518 Corridor Study presentation by WSDOT, and planning discussions for 2020 meeting topics. The forum, co-chaired by Commissioner Felleman, brings together regional stakeholders to address issues related to Sea-Tac Airport's impact on surrounding communities. Six bimonthly meetings were scheduled for 2020, each running from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.

In September 2019, the City of Des Moines responded to a Port of Seattle apology letter regarding the allocation of $10 million for Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) design work without prior environmental review or stakeholder notice, which had prompted Des Moines and other nearby cities to temporarily suspend participation in the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART). The City challenged the Port's claims of meaningful progress on noise reduction measures, requesting specific data on the Late Night Noise Limitation program, changes to nighttime flight schedules, and the status of runway glide slope adjustments. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Sea-Tac Airport and surrounding communities over transparency, environmental compliance, and the effectiveness of collaborative noise mitigation efforts.