TagSeattle Times(292)
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2008-10-31
Economy delays BNSF rail-line sale to Port of Seattle
A troubled municipal-bond market has delayed the Port of Seattle’s $107 million purchase of BNSF Railway’s Snohomish-to-Renton rail line, but the Port has chosen a possible excursion-train operator. By Keith Ervin BNSF Railway’s sale of its 42-mile Renton-to-Snohomish rail line to the Port of Seattle won’t close before the first quarter of 2009. Port officials, -
2008-05-12
Final OK for $107 million rail-line deal
Port of Seattle and King County executives signed a final deal this morning that will put a 42-mile Eastside rail corridor into public ownership. The Port will pay BNSF Railway $107 million for the Renton-to-Snohomish rail line. By Keith Ervin Port of Seattle and King County executives signed a final deal this morning that will -
2007-11-02Port to buy Eastside rail corridor | The Seattle Times
Port to buy Eastside rail corridor Nov 2, 2007 By Keith Ervin and Bob Young Seattle Times staff reporters In a tentative deal hailed as one of the most important land acquisitions in the region’s history, the Port of Seattle plans to buy a 42-mile Eastside rail corridor and lease the southern portion of it -
2006-01-12
State rebukes Port of Seattle for 3rd-runway water pollution – Runoff from construction Millions of gallons flow into nearby streams
By Warren Cornwall January 12, 2006 Publication: Seattle Times, The (WA) Page: A1 Word Count: 865 For years, the Port of Seattle has promised that construction of a massive third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport wouldn’t hurt surrounding streams and would actually be a boon to the environment. But since October, a string of oversights, accidents and intentional -
2005-06-25State PDC seeks suit on election violations – 2001 Des Moines races: Business group accused of hiding donations to pro-runway candidates
In 2005, Washington State's Public Disclosure Commission asked Attorney General Rob McKenna to sue a group of investors connected to TME Capital Group for allegedly hiding $60,000 in illegal campaign contributions used to influence 2001 Des Moines City Council elections. The investors were backing a business venture tied to the controversial third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and sought to elect council candidates favorable to the project. The scheme involved funneling money through shell entities and converting it to anonymous cashier's checks to conceal the donors' identities, part of a broader pattern of campaign finance violations in Des Moines linked to the Sea-Tac runway fight. -
Boeing makes gains in year of turbulence
By Dominic Gates Seattle Times aerospace reporter It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was a year of fundamental shifts within Boeing. In 2004, the leaden skies above the company’s local operations at last began to brighten. • A spectacular Navy contract worth potentially $40 billion secured the future -
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 -
2003-03-16Des Moines council faces deadlock – Wasson resigns, citing state’s investigation
Des Moines City Councilman Don Wasson resigned in March 2003 amid a campaign finance scandal, after allegations that he concealed $49,000 in undisclosed contributions funded by businessman Hank Hopkins, who sought to build a conveyor system for SeaTac Airport's proposed third runway. The contributions were intended to elect council members more favorable to the runway project, and the state Public Disclosure Commission was investigating whether Wasson and Hopkins broke state law. Wasson's resignation left the six remaining council members deadlocked, raising uncertainty about city governance during a critical period for airport expansion policy. -
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) -
2003-01-18Trio in alleged political plot put blame on one another: Mayor, businessman, consultant involved in state investigation
A 2003 Seattle Times investigation revealed a campaign-finance scandal in Des Moines, WA, where Mayor Don Wasson, businessman Hank Hopkins, and political consultant Tom Hujar allegedly concealed $49,000 in unreported spending to influence the November 2001 City Council elections. The goal was to elect council members who would reduce the city's opposition to a proposed third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. State Public Disclosure Commission investigators charged Wasson and Hopkins with violating campaign-finance disclosure laws, with all three men blaming each other for the scheme.