TagPort Of Seattle(2349)

The Burien Airport Committee met on October 19, 2021 and November 16, 2021 to discuss airport noise-related issues affecting the community near Sea-Tac Airport. Key topics included a review of Burien's 2022 Federal Legislative Priorities supporting bills HR 6038 and HR 4068 aimed at reducing airport noise and particle emissions, along with a presentation by the Port of Seattle on its Noise Insulation Program. The committee also discussed community planning efforts for the Boulevard Park and Ambaum Corridor areas and received updates on the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART).

The Highline Forum held a meeting on September 22, 2021, hosted by the City of Tukwila, focused on three main topics: an overview of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's noise reduction program, an update on the Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), and a status report on the South King County Fund. The virtual meeting, conducted via Microsoft Teams, featured presentations by Port of Seattle staff including Aviation Director Lance Lyttle. The forum is a recurring regional body that meets bimonthly, bringing together South King County communities affected by Sea-Tac Airport operations.

The Port of Seattle's South King County Fund (SKCF), launched in 2019, provides grants to build equity-based partnerships in communities near Sea-Tac Airport. In 2020, the fund distributed $1.5 million across Environmental, Economic Recovery, and WMBE (Women and Minority Business Enterprise) programs, supporting 27 projects; funding increased to $2 million in 2021. The program aims to address environmental and economic impacts on South King County residents through targeted community investment.

In September 2021, the City of Burien considered approving an additional $42,970 contribution to a shared consultant contract with the cities of Des Moines, Normandy Park, and SeaTac to review and respond to the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP), which outlines airport growth over the next 20 years. The four cities entered into an inter-local agreement in 2018 to coordinate their environmental review and formal comments on noise and other impacts associated with SEA International Airport expansion. The contract amendment also extended the agreement's end date from 2021 to 2023 and recognized a change in the consulting firm from Lockridge Grindal Nauen to Primacy Strategy Group.

The Port of Seattle's 2020 Real Estate Strategic Plan, published in August 2021, outlines strategies for managing and growing the Port's portfolio of industrial and office properties, including sites such as Fishermen's Terminal, Pier 69, and World Trade Center West. Developed by consulting firm Heartland in collaboration with Port staff and an external advisory committee, the plan updates a similar 2016 strategy and provides a framework for evaluating future real estate investments and acquisitions. Note that this document focuses on maritime and commercial real estate operations and does not address Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

The Highline Forum held a virtual meeting on July 21, 2021, hosted by Highline College, covering updates on 2021 Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) flight activity, temporary noise monitor installations, and federal aviation policy. The meeting, conducted via Microsoft Teams, featured presentations by Port of Seattle staff and Aviation Director Lance Lyttle, with public comments accepted by email or live video link. The document also lists all six Highline Forum meeting dates for 2021, with hosts rotating among local entities including the cities of Burien, Federal Way, Tukwila, and SeaTac.

A July 2021 presentation to the Highline Forum reported that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) was steadily recovering from pandemic-related declines, with passenger traffic reaching 71% and scheduled seat capacity reaching 83% of 2019 levels as of June 2021. By August 2021, the flight schedule had climbed to 85% of pre-pandemic capacity, with Alaska Airlines leading the recovery at 97% of its 2019 schedule, while United Airlines lagged at 66%. The document highlights that airlines had largely restored operations to meet rebounding traveler demand.