TagTukwila(21)

Letter dated August 7, 2026 from Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod to Steve Rybolt, Senior Environmental Program Manager at Port Of Seattle, regarding the SEPA Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects Draft EIS. The City of Tukwila raises concerns that the 3,692-acre General Study Area (GSA) is too geographically limited to capture full impacts of

The Southeast Asian Refugee Alliance, based in Tukwila, WA, submitted a sample grant application requesting $17,725 to improve Crestview Park by installing a swing set, multilingual welcome signs, and planting 15 native trees and shrubs. The one-year project, fiscally sponsored by the Environmental Stewardship Group, also includes weekly volunteer cleanup events and a community welcome celebration aimed at making the park more accessible to the local Southeast Asian refugee population. The project site at 2343 Legion Blvd falls within the Near-Airport Cities eligible geographic region, specifically serving the Tukwila community.

The City of Tukwila submitted formal comments on December 13, 2024, objecting to SeaTac Airport's Sustainable Airport Master Plan Draft Environmental Assessment (SAMP Draft EA), arguing that the study area is too narrow, covering only 3,692 acres, and fails to account for broader impacts on surrounding communities including increased traffic, air quality degradation, and noise under flight paths. The city contends that proposed mitigation measures are inadequate and that the assessment ignores equity and social justice concerns affecting the low-income, diverse communities near the airport. Tukwila is calling for a full Environmental Impact Statement with an expanded General Study Area that includes the entire city and broader South King County region.

The Port of Seattle Commission received a monthly notification of Executive Director delegated approvals for July 2024, totaling $1,429,891. The three approved actions included a $1.1 million project for SBM Dumpster Drainage Pads, a $25,000 memorandum of understanding with the City of Tukwila, and a $304,891 IT update for the T91 Cruise terminal's Customs and Border Protection systems. These delegations are reported publicly each month under Resolution No. 3810, which granted the Executive Director increased authority effective April 2023.

In the postwar decades, the Port of Seattle planned to transform the upper Duwamish Valley into a massive industrial district by straightening the river and filling its floodplains, a project that would have displaced small valley communities and caused severe environmental damage. The small City of Tukwila successfully fought back through strategic land annexations, restrictive zoning, coalition-building with state agencies, and a landmark lawsuit that challenged the Port's authority to levy a special property tax to fund the project. Tukwila's victory shaped the future of the entire King County region by preserving the valley from large-scale heavy industrialization.

The City of Tukwila presented a municipal update at the Highline Forum on May 22, 2024, introducing newly elected Mayor Thomas McLeod, who took office in November 2023 after serving on the City Council from 2016 to 2023 and the Planning Commission from 2010 to 2016. The presentation also featured the current Tukwila City Council members. Note: this document does not contain specific Sea-Tac Airport noise policy content.

This map depicts the planning area boundary surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and its neighboring communities, including Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, Tukwila, and Riverton. The shaded region highlights the airport's footprint and immediate environs, while the dashed boundary line delineates the study area used for airport-related land use and noise planning purposes. The document appears to be part of an environmental or community planning effort assessing the impact of Sea-Tac Airport on surrounding residential and commercial areas.