How the Port “got it done” on a one-bid contract

By Bob Young The Port of Seattle received just one bid last year for a contract to build a new cruise-ship terminal near the Magnolia Bridge. It came in 30 percent above the Port’s $30 million estimate. Under Port policy, elected commissioners are supposed to be alerted when the best bid exceeds the Port engineer’s

Sea-Tac neighbors feel duped over 3rd-runway noise

While Port of Seattle officials said the region needed a $1 billion third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to reduce flight delays during bad weather, planes are landing on the new runway all day, every day regardless of weather. Burien residents say the constant noise is intolerable. By Sharon Pian Chan Special to The Times

Two Port of Seattle managers have resigned under pressure, and seven other high-ranking employees were disciplined for their role in fraudulent contracting practices, Port CEO Tay Yoshitani announced Tuesday.

Port forces out 2 managers over fraudulent contract activity – 7 more suspended or disciplined But commission president says “zero tolerance” should mean firing people who break law By Bob Young December 10, 2008 Publication: Seattle Times, The (WA) Page: A1 Word Count: 1222 Two Port of Seattle managers have resigned under pressure, and seven

Port memo still a mystery – Rewritten to hide high cost of project Penalties await, but “so many people looked at it and made changes” that finding culprits will be tough, investigator says

Port memo still a mystery – Rewritten to hide high cost of project Penalties await, but “so many people looked at it and made changes” that finding culprits will be tough, investigator says By Bob Young December 7, 2008 Publication: Seattle Times, The (WA) Page: B1 Word Count: 719 Who hid the truth about the

Port of Seattle probe exposes fraud, a “get-it-done culture”

Originally published December 4, 2008 at 12:00 am A Port of Seattle employee leaked sensitive documents to a major contractor who later made an “astonishing” 30-percent profit on a $125 million construction job at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to a Port investigation by former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay. By  Bob Young A Port of Seattle

History of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

1941: The Civil Aeronautics Administration approaches Seattle and Tacoma, offering to level the ground and build an airport runway if a city would offer the land, build a terminal and operate the airport. Neither city agrees. 1942: The Seattle Port Commission votes to assume responsibility for the new airport, coming up with two possible sites: west of

Des Moines Mayor Don Wasson resigns

Jan 24, 2003 By Dave Birkland Seattle Times staff reporter Des Moines Mayor Don Wasson, accused of hiding campaign contributions that reportedly swayed the council’s stance on the third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, resigned at last night’s City Council meeting. The resignation surprised everyone on the council, said Council member Bob Sheckler. “He (Wasson)