TagFederal Way(38)

The Highline Forum held its May 25, 2022 meeting, hosted by the City of Federal Way, with a focus on Economic Development and Tourism. The hybrid meeting, held at Federal Way City Hall and via Microsoft Teams, featured updates from the Port of Seattle on economic development and a StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) briefing by Aviation Managing Director Lance Lyttle. The document also lists all six Highline Forum meeting dates for 2022, with hosts ranging from local cities to Highline College and the Highline School District.

A November 2021 Sound Transit update presented to the Highline Forum outlines plans to open 28 new light rail stations by 2024, including extensions to Federal Way, Lynnwood, East Link, and other corridors in the greater Seattle region. The presentation also addresses a financial affordability gap, explaining that some projects have two possible delivery dates — an earlier target date contingent on securing additional funding, and a later affordability date if extra financial capacity cannot be achieved.

Mayor Jim Ferrell presented a City of Federal Way update to The Highline Forum on May 26, 2021, framing the post-COVID reopening as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The city highlighted its pandemic response efforts, including partnering with local organizations to keep food banks stocked and providing $500,000 in rental assistance to struggling families, with 80% of those funds directed to historically marginalized communities.

The Highline Forum held a virtual meeting on May 26, 2021, hosted by the City of Federal Way, focusing on a recap of the 2021 Washington State Legislative Session and non-SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) airport improvement projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The meeting, conducted via Microsoft Teams due to the Governor's Stay at Home Order, also included updates on the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) program presented by Port of Seattle Aviation Director Lance Lyttle. The forum is a recurring regional body that meets bimonthly, with 2021 meetings hosted by various neighboring cities and institutions including Burien, Highline College, Tukwila, and SeaTac.

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff presented to the Highline Forum in November 2020, outlining multiple light rail extensions under construction across the greater Seattle region. A key highlight for the Sea-Tac area is the Federal Way Link Extension, a 7.8-mile line with three new stations scheduled to open in 2024, which will connect the Federal Way Transit Center to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in approximately 15 minutes.

In May 2019, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and the unanimous City Council wrote to University of Washington researchers requesting an expansion of the MOV-UP study measuring ultrafine particle pollution around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter calls for three key additions: a baseline measurement site unaffected by air traffic, drone-based vertical air sampling before and after aircraft landings at parks, schools, and social justice impact areas, and the design of a permanent 24/7 ultrafine particle monitoring network. The city also offered to support a Port of Seattle grant application to fund the expanded research and pledged to encourage other affected communities to join the effort.

Researchers from the University of Washington studied ultrafine particles (UFPs) — tiny airborne pollutants less than 100 nanometers in diameter — near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Their findings highlight that jet aircraft engines produce exceptionally small particles (under 30 nanometers), while diesel vehicles also contribute elevated UFP levels within about 200 meters of major roads. Although UFPs are currently unregulated, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests they pose significant health risks to nearby communities.

The Highline Forum held a meeting on March 27, 2019, at Federal Way City Hall, focused on the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) First-Year Report and a SAMP (Sustainable Airport Master Plan) Update, with presentations from Port of Seattle representatives and local officials. The forum serves as a regional body addressing airport-related concerns for communities near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including Federal Way, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines. Additional 2019 meetings were scheduled bimonthly through November at rotating locations across the Highline area.

The Burien Airport Committee met on November 15, 2018, to discuss potential city council resolutions related to airport noise and impact issues, including ideas drawn from Federal Way's Quiet and Healthy Skies Task Force Report. The committee also reviewed updates on the Sea-Tac Airport Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Impact Statement, which was described as being in its early stages. Additional agenda items included an update on the committee's appointment process and approval of minutes from the October 16, 2018 meeting.