TagDes Moines(254)

The Port of Seattle's Airport Community Ecology (ACE) Fund offers a Small Matching Grants Program providing funding to non-profit organizations and community groups in SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines to support local environmental improvement projects. Applicants must demonstrate a 3:1 match for every dollar of Port funding requested, meaning three dollars of community value must be identified for each grant dollar awarded. The program has distributed over $85,000 to projects ranging from invasive weed removal and community gardens to marine wildlife education and plastics reduction awareness.

In September 2017, Des Moines, WA resident Steve Edmiston sent a certified letter demanding that the Port of Seattle and the FAA stop increased flight operations over his historic Woodmont neighborhood, arguing that no avigation easement had ever been granted over his property. He cited a dramatic rise in aircraft noise, vibrations, fumes, and nighttime flights linked to expanded use of Sea-Tac's third runway and new navigation procedures, noting that commercial operations at the airport had nearly doubled since 2003. The letter also included a formal public records request for documents related to flight procedure changes made after February 14, 2012, and outlined legal grounds under which affected homeowners may still seek damages despite general noise liability limitations.

The Airport Community Ecology Fund, authorized by the Port of Seattle Commission in November 2016, provides grants and partnership programs to improve the natural environment in communities affected by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport operations, specifically in SeaTac, Burien, and Des Moines. The fund supports environmental projects such as tree planting and green space development to help offset airport impacts through benefits like cleaner air, reduced runoff, and improved neighborhood character. Local non-profit organizations and community groups in the three eligible cities can apply for grants, provided their projects demonstrate measurable outcomes and a local match of three times the grant value.

The April 7, 2017 edition of Westside Seattle, a neighborhood weekly serving Ballard, Burien/Highline, SeaTac, Des Moines, West Seattle, and White Center, features a front-page illustrated cartoon highlighting community concerns about aircraft noise over North SeaTac Park, with an inside story on Port noise complaints. The issue also covers local retail news, including Whole Foods canceling its planned West Seattle store and Amazon Fresh opening in Ballard.

The City Council of Des Moines, Washington approved Resolution No. 1322 on January 21, 2016, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a 2nd Addendum to the development agreement with the Port of Seattle for the Des Moines Creek Business Park. The resolution updates the project's master plan, with the primary change being the relocation of an internal loop road, while requiring completion of several planning requirements including site plans, environmental review, traffic analysis, and a right-of-way vacation before development can proceed.

The Highline Forum, hosted by the City of Des Moines on May 27, 2015, focused on economic development in the communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The meeting featured a presentation on Collaborative Economic Development by Ted Fick, CEO of the Port of Seattle, followed by discussions on economic development plans specific to Des Moines and broader regional updates. The forum was held at the Dining Hall at Des Moines Beach Park and ran from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

This presentation from the City of Des Moines, Washington outlines the city's economic development context, noting its population of roughly 30,000 residents across 6.5 square miles and a median household income of $60,000. The city faces suburban challenges including transitioning toward more urbanized town centers and achieving fiscal self-sufficiency, complicated by the fact that 50% of its potential trade capture area lies underwater in Puget Sound. The city's strategy focuses on increasing overall economic demand rather than competing directly with neighboring communities.

This May 2015 briefing presented the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the City of Des Moines Council. The plan addresses rapid passenger and operations growth within a constrained airport footprint, outlining the need for strategic land use planning, potential expansion onto additional Port-owned properties, and relocation of existing facilities to maintain airfield capacity and add terminal capacity. Key topics covered include economic impact, sustainability, activity forecasts, development constraints, and public outreach.