TagPort Of Seattle(2349)

The Burien Airport Committee held a meeting on May 17, 2022, to discuss several aviation-related topics, including a request to the Port of Seattle to seek a longer FAA review period for the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), updates on federal legislation, and a presentation on Burien's Climate Plan. The committee also reviewed draft minutes from its April 19, 2022 meeting, during which all members were present and routine business was conducted. Public participation was available remotely via Zoom, email, or text due to ongoing pandemic-related restrictions on in-person meetings.

The Port of Seattle partnered with non-profit Forterra from 2017 to 2022 to improve urban forests in the airport-adjacent communities of Burien, SeaTac, and Des Moines using $450,000 from the Airport Community Ecology (ACE) Fund. The program conducted tree canopy assessments across 738 acres, planted nearly 3,000 trees and plants, and engaged over 800 volunteers to restore parks and green spaces in neighborhoods most impacted by airport operations. Equity-focused mapping helped direct resources to low-income and minority communities with less tree cover, and the work ultimately leveraged an additional $260,000 in outside funding for school-area canopy improvements.

The Port of Seattle Commission held a virtual regular meeting on April 12, 2022, covering airport-related capital projects including a briefing on the C Concourse Expansion Project and authorization requests for construction contracts at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The agenda also included a Sound Transit briefing on the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which touches on the Ballard/Interbay corridor near port facilities. Public comment was accepted by email or phone only, with no in-person attendance permitted under Governor Inslee's pandemic proclamations.

The Port of Seattle's Q1 2022 Financial Performance Report, covering January through March 2022, shows the organization still recovering from COVID-19 impacts, with airport passenger volumes rebounding but running about 7.6% below 2019 levels. Total operating revenues reached $166.6 million, exceeding budget by $21 million, driven largely by federal concessionaire relief grants and stronger-than-expected parking revenue. The report also highlights record cruise activity, rising grain volumes, and continued community investment programs including environmental grants for urban restoration projects.

The Highline Forum held a virtual meeting on March 23, 2022, hosted by the City of Des Moines, focusing on the 2021 StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) Annual Report and the selection of a new Community Co-Chair. The meeting, conducted via Microsoft Teams, included presentations by Port of Seattle representatives and BDS Planning Urban Design on airport noise mitigation efforts affecting Highline-area communities. The document also lists all six 2022 Highline Forum meeting dates, with hosts ranging from local cities such as Tukwila, Federal Way, and SeaTac to institutions like Highline College and the Highline School District.

The Burien Airport Committee held a meeting on March 15, 2022, covering topics including a Port of Seattle presentation on city ordinances related to aviation issues, an update on the Environmental Impact Statement for Ambaum Boulevard Park Plans, and a review of the committee's draft workplan. Draft minutes from the February 15, 2022 meeting were also included, noting that the committee discussed Burien Municipal Code chapter 15.12 on Aircraft Noise Reduction and planned future agenda items. The committee operates as an advisory body focused on monitoring and responding to the impacts of Sea-Tac Airport on the City of Burien.

This March 2022 report to SeaTac's Parks and Recreation Committee examines the city's existing lease arrangements with the Port of Seattle for North SeaTac Park and explores the feasibility of the city taking ownership of the park. The presentation covers the background of the ownership proposal, an overview of current leases dating back to 1991 and 1994, and outlines next steps including drafting a formal resolution. The park land, currently leased from the Port, encompasses multiple areas governed by agreements that have been amended over the years.

The Port of Seattle is requesting authorization for its 2022/2023 Economic Development Partnership Program, which distributes grant funding to cities in King County to support local economic development projects. Funding is allocated at $1 per capita, capped at $60,000 for large cities and with a minimum of $5,000 for the smallest cities, with cities required to provide a 50% project match. The total program budget requested is not to exceed $1,860,000, with additional flexibility to direct unused funds toward equitable and small business recovery initiatives.