Category Archives: Port of Seattle

Port of Seattle Seeks Public Comment

Port of Seattle Schedules Review of Proposed 2020 Budget and Five-Year Plan, Continues Major Investments for the Region’s Future

The Port of Seattle will host two community open houses to review its 2020 budget and five-year capital development plans for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and the Maritime and Economic Development divisions. The plans outline the Port’s blueprint to further invest in infrastructure, maximizing efficiency and service to benefit the economic and environmental vitality of our region. You may read the full press release here, excerpted below.

Port of Seattle Open Houses

Community members are invited to learn about the Port’s preliminary 2020 budget and five-year capital development and investment plans at two upcoming open houses. Port staff will share information about investments at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and in the Maritime and Economic Development divisions. Staff will also share how the Port’s preliminary budget and five-year capital development plans respond to regional need by improving customer service, expanding economic activity across our region, and supporting healthy habitats and communities.

WHEN:             October 22, 2019, 5:30 to 7:30
WHERE:           Pier 69 Atrium (sign in at the front desk)

WHEN:             October 28, 2019, 5:30 to 7:30
WHERE:           Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center

Capital development projects make up the largest share of the Port’s spending. The preliminary 2020 budget includes capital spending of $644 million, with $570 million going to Sea-Tac International Airport, and $74 million going to Maritime and other divisions. In addition to the Port’s capital spending, the Port will contribute 50 percent to capital investments in the Northwest Seaport Alliance for marine cargo projects, including the current construction transforming Terminal 5 into one of the nation’s premier international container terminals.

The Port’s preliminary 2020 operating budget forecasts revenues of $812 million and expenses of $472 million. The 2020 operating budget allows the Port to respond to needs of business and community stakeholders with stronger organizational capability, advanced sustainability, and an improved customer experience at Port facilities.

The Port of Seattle is in the second year of a five-year investment plan designed to make our region a competitive maritime hub. The investments focus on asset preservation and prioritize economic development where our natural advantages align to economic growth opportunities.

Port of Seattle Seeks Partnership for New Cruise Facility at Terminal 46

Port to start process, issue principles for cruise business development

(SEATTLE) The Port of Seattle Commission took steps toward securing a partner to develop and operate a new, single berth cruise facility at Terminal 46 by issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Commissioners also adopted principles to ensure that a growing cruise business increases local economic benefit and maintains the Port’s leadership as the most environmentally progressive cruise homeport in North America.

“The intangible asset of Alaska cruises creates opportunities for Washington businesses of all sizes, from farmers and wine producers in Eastern Washington to museums, hotels, and restaurants around King County,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Stephanie Bowman. “Our principles ensure that this new cruise terminal will expand local economic benefit, and with the addition of our third shore power berth will make Seattle the national leader in promoting clean, electric shore power for our Alaska-bound cruises.”

two cruise ships

The cruise terminal RFQ is the first step in a partnership selection process that will support the completion of a new facility for the 2022 cruise season. Early estimates are that a cruise terminal could be constructed for around $200 million. A public-private-partnership approach to build the terminal will have the Port contributing half that cost. Responses to the RFQ are due April 18.

The opportunity to explore using 29 acres at the north end of Terminal 46 for a new cruise terminal and single berth has come forward now as the Northwest Seaport Alliance works to realize its strategic plan of realigning international maritime cargo operations at Terminal 5 near West Seattle and Terminal 18 on Harbor Island. The cruise terminal project is contingent on the successful authorization of a new lease at Terminal 5 which is scheduled for review at the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s March 19 meeting.

…Read the rest of the news release here.

Robots at Sea-Tac Airport

Last year, Sea-Tac airport found a perfect place for a robot to take over a repetitive but necessary task. During a study to figure out ways to speed up the security checkpoint process, one team found that standing in the security lines and encouraging passengers to remove items like belts and laptops early on before they arrived at the checkpoint helped the lines move more quickly. “They were able to measure improvement to the overall security checkpoint process,” says Wilson. “But after a couple of hours our team was pretty exhausted from nonstop talking with passengers.”

The team decided that a robot named Tracy would be the ticket. The robot-controlled sign spoke and provided advice on how to get through security quickly, by removing scarves, belts, and jackets in advance — and “she” did it in six languages and never got tired. Wilson says the experiment yielded a potential gain of 18 percent to 20 percent improvement to the overall security checkpoint process. Plus, he notes, “Tracy was quite a novelty and many passengers, especially children, took selfies with Tracy while waiting in line.”

Tracy, the passenger service robot

Tracy was just a pilot project, but she may be back soon. And if you’re walking through the airport today, you may just stumble across robots doing another job most humans find tedious: cleaning floors. One of Sea-Tac’s vendors, C&W Services, recently set a fleet of six self-driving floor-care machines in action at the airport. Brain Corp. provides the artificial intelligence software that manages and deploys the self-driving machineThe cleaning staff doesn’t need to directly operate the machines, so floor cleaning becomes autonomous. This allows the janitors to multitask and complete other work that requires a human touch while the floors get cleaned.

Floor cleaning robot at Sea-Tac

Read the full release from the Port of Seattle here.

Port of Seattle Another Step Closer to Handling the Largest Cargo Vessels in the World

The Northwest Seaport Alliance “Breakwater” Newsletter – July 2018:

Seattle Harbor deepening project approved for 57 feet

The USACE’s Commanding General signed the Chief of Engineers Report for the Seattle Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, a plan to deepen the channels leading to the container terminals in the Seattle Harbor to 57 feet.

“This project will make the Port of Seattle the deepest container port in the nation at 57 feet deep,” said Courtney Gregoire, Port of Seattle commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “This is another step forward to making T-5 big ship ready, and able to handle the largest cargo vessels in the world. The Port of Seattle and The Northwest Seaport Alliance thank the Army Corps of Engineers for their timely completion of this study and recognition of the value the project will contribute to our nation.”

The Corps delivered its fiscal year 2018 work plan to Congress, which includes funding to initiate a feasibility study for a deepening project for the Tacoma Harbor.

Photo credit: The Northwest Seaport Alliance

Workforce Development: Port of Seattle Seeks Mentors and Students for Internship Positions


mentoring

Mentors and internships help bridge the gap between school and employment.

 

It’s easy to become a mentor

Educurious and the Port of Seattle are building a network of mentors, especially professionals in the public administration, environmental, skilled trades, aviation or maritime fields. Find out more here, or contact Rose Carlson at rcarlson@educurious.org, call (206) 717-2295, or schedule a phone meeting here.

Ready to sign up now? Go to www.educurious-experts.chronus.com.

 

Career-connected learning

The Port is currently accepting applications for at least 44 college internships in 2018, and will start accepting applications for 80 high school summer internships soon. These paid positions will provide meaningful work and learning experiences, allow students to try out careers, develop skills and networks, and benefit from mentoring. To visit the application web page click here.

Port of Seattle Takes Action on Climate Change and Sustainability

Port builds on solar power pilot at Fishermen’s Terminal with larger solar plan for the roof at Pier 69 Headquarters 

Port of Seattle Commissioners passed an Energy and Sustainability Motion that charts a new course toward the Port’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance sustainability and assess new opportunities for sourcing renewable energy. One of the most tangible aspects of progress on sustainability at the Port is the new solar array currently being installed at Fishermen’s Terminal. The Port’s proposed 2018 budget includes an even larger project to add solar energy to the roof of its Pier 69 building.

“In addition to reducing the Port’s carbon emissions and working to reduce the competing demands on Washington’s hydropower system, these projects demonstrate how the Port can lead efforts to reduce the increasingly obvious impacts of climate change on the environment and our quality of life,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman, who co-chairs the Port’s Energy and Sustainability Committee with Commissioner Courtney Gregoire. 

“Today’s action reinforces the Port of Seattle’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and should encourage expanded innovation in green technology. From biofuels at Sea-Tac Airport to solar panels at Fishermen’s Terminal, we look forward to strengthening partnerships to make our region a market leader in the green economy,” Commissioner Gregoire added. 

Energy and Sustainability

Watch local solar experts and Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman describe current and future renewable energy and sustainability projects at the Port of Seattle.

The Motion will direct the Port of Seattle to:

  1. Develop a Sustainability Evaluation Framework to assist the Commission helping the Port meet its greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability goals by increasing the transparency of project impacts.

  2. Select up to four pilot projects, divided between the airport and maritime, to identify the framework and process that incorporates environmental and societal components in design and decision-making for Port construction and operations. The solar project at Pier 69 should be selected as the first pilot project to test the Port’s new evaluation framework.

  3. Ensure sufficient resources to track greenhouse gas reduction and implement sustainable design principles.

  4. Expand our carbon reduction emission goal in the Port’s Century Agenda to include indirect emissions. The Port’s goal is for Port-controlled and indirect emissions to be carbon neutral or carbon negative by 2050. 

  5. Increase collaboration with the Northwest Seaport Alliance through the Sustainability Center of Expertise.

Fishermens Terminal net shed solar panels

 

Rendering of solar power array on Fishermen’s Terminal Net Shed 5. The solar panel installation should generate approximately 11,000 kWh of power annually, enough to power the building’s operations. A Washington State based company manufactured the solar panels and a local company will perform installation. Completion: early 2018. 

Pier 69 soalr panel rendering

 

Rendering of solar power array on Port of Seattle’s Pier 69 office building. The solar panel installation could generate approximately 320,000 kWH of power annually and defer 11,000 lbs. of CO2. The project, if approved, would be partially funded by a grant from Washington State Department of Commerce.

 

“The Port knows that a more prosperous future is also a cleaner, more sustainable one,” said Vlad Gutman-Britten, Washington Director of Climate Solutions. “These policies put the Port of Seattle on a path towards environmental leadership that reflects the values of this region.”

The Energy and Sustainability Motion marks a major milestone for the Port, which two years ago began significant internal, policy and operational changes that will contribute to a healthier environment and communities. Significant conservation and sustainability actions from the past two years have included:

  • Creating a consolidated Sustainability Center of Expertise to better share information and strategies between environmental experts in aviation and maritime;

  • Establishing the new policy-making Energy and Sustainability Committee that includes Port Commissioners, staff and was advised by external stakeholders;

  • Creating a first-of-its kind Marine Stormwater Utility, which relies on tenants and business unit fees to assess, repair and improve stormwater infrastructure, including adding green infrastructure to manage stormwater;

  • Setting more ambitious goals for reducing Port-controlled carbon emissions;

  • Increasing energy efficiency through upgrades and new equipment, including converting CNG buses to electric;

  • Pursuing opportunities to supply sustainable aviation biofuel to all airlines fueling at Sea-Tac Airport;

  • Sourcing new wind-powered electricity, renewable natural gas and renewable diesel; and

  • Improving the walkway between public transit stations and the airport terminal by adding an electric cart shuttle, increasing wayfinding, adding weatherization panels and improving lighting.

The Port of Seattle set a goal to be the greenest, most energy efficient port in North America. The Port’s environmental programs cover air quality, energy, clean water, habitat and wildlife management, noise abatement, recycling and solid waste management and cleaning up industrial contamination. In addition to maintaining its aviation and maritime facilities, the Port manages 24 acres of waterfront parks using organic landscaping practices.  


Port of Seattle to Develop Property in Sea-Tac, WA

The Port of Seattle Commission voted to select Trammel Crow Company (TCC) as a developer for its Des Moines Creek North site in the City of SeaTac. The proposed development will create more than 356,000 square feet of high quality, light industrial space with supporting warehouse functions within two industrial buildings. Tenants may include food processors, manufacturers, and logistics providers that support the aviation and air cargo industries.

“With this investment, the Port of Seattle continues to provide leadership in economic development,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. “This land will provide essential industrial and family-wage jobs for our region.”

TCC is one of the nation’s leading developers and investors in commercial real estate, having developed or acquired more than 2,600 buildings valued at more than $60 billion and over 565 million square feet. TCC has created a new, wholly-owned company TC Northwest Development, for this ground lease and investment. TCC was recently named as the #1 Development Company in the US for 2016.

The investment made at Des Moines Creek-North will help advance economic development within the City of SeaTac and for surrounding communities:

  • The project will provide approximately 90+ prevailing wage construction jobs during the build out of the property. At full occupancy, the development will be home to approximately 400+ full-time employees with an estimated payroll of more than $28 million annually.
  • The project complements the nearby Des Moines Creek Business Park by adding additional best-in-class industrial inventory that will continue to attract and retain growing firms, keeping jobs within King County and the nearby region.
  • The design and construction will be completed primarily by locally owned, private small businesses. This further serves to promote small business growth and workforce development.
  • The infill location of Des Moines Creek-North will help reduce sprawl by creating new light industrial facilities adjacent to current road infrastructure, highways, and public transportation.

Located south of the Angle Lake light rail station, this 22.47-acre undeveloped property is zoned Aviation Commercial (“AVC”) and will expand upon the success of the industrial development at the Des Moines Creek Business Park. It will also represent the first new industrial development on Port property in the City of SeaTac in many years. The City of SeaTac has voiced its support for the development here

Photo on Foter.com

Port of Seattle Purchases Salmon Bay Marina

Property adjacent to Fishermen’s Terminal to support maritime, industrial development

The Port of Seattle Commission voted to purchase Salmon Bay Marina, located on the Ship Canal adjacent to the Port’s Fishermen’s Terminal facility. The five acre property contains five docks supporting 166 slips measuring 6,547 lineal feet of moorage on freshwater.  The purchase price was $15,679,120.

 

“The purchase of Salmon Bay Marina is a step toward fulfilling our Century Agenda goal to double the number of jobs in our region associated with fishing and maritime and is financially smart for the Port,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “It also protects urban industrial and maritime land, which is also environmentally wise.”

The property was purchased by the Draper family in 1945 and developed into Salmon Bay Marina. Over the next 72 years, four generations of the family served as stewards of the marina, and are excited to see the Port continue its maritime heritage.

There are a number of potential uses for the property, including light industrial facilities that could support maritime and manufacturing companies in the area. The site could support structures in the range of 60,000 square feet.

“Salmon Bay Marina is a valuable waterfront property perfectly suited for continued maritime use,” said Eugene Wasserman, President of the North Seattle Industrial Association. “I thank the Port of Seattle for preserving this industrial property that will provide jobs and tax revenue throughout our region.”

The existing marina slips will remain, although the house boats will be removed prior to the Port taking possession of the property. Environmental remediation from prior tenants may run close to $900,000.

“We applaud the Port of Seattle for purchasing and preserving this unique freshwater recreational boat facility,” said Peter Schrappen, Director of Government Affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association. “These assets are rare, and help maintain maritime and family-wage jobs.”

Click here for more information about the Salmon Bay Marina purchase.

Photo credit: Port of Seattle

 

Port of Seattle Shares Janitorial Contract Between Small Businesses

New custodial contracts to increase service & opportunities. 

Small and disadvantaged businesses will gain new opportunities under janitorial contracts recently awarded by the Port of Seattle for Sea-Tac Airport.

The Port broke up its large exclusive contract for custodial services into more opportunities that will improve customer service and accountability, and provide revenue opportunities for more small and disadvantaged businesses. The four new contracts cover different parts of the facility, but each will increase performance standards, project an increase in labor hours and number of jobs, and include employee retention and labor harmony provisions to protect workers.

Local, woman-owned small business joins non-profit social enterprise and minority-owned small businesses in awards.

Under the new contracts, small businesses will perform services equal to about 45 percent of the four contracts combined. In addition, each new contract is required to provide employee retention by extending an offer to existing employees for a minimum of 180 days, as well a written labor peace guarantee with the current custodial labor union, SEIU Local 6.

The winning bidders include:

  • C&W Services, a national company based out of Massachusetts, partnering with Whayne Enterprises, a small, minority-owned business based out of Denver, won bids to operate in South Satellite, Concourse A, Concourse B, public pre-security areas such as the ticketing and baggage claim areas.
  • PRIDE Industries, a non-profit social enterprise based in Roseville, California that creates jobs for people with disabilities and veterans, partnering with Evergreen Building Services, LLC, a small, woman-owned business based in Mill Creek, Washington, won a bid to operate in Central Terminal, Concourse C, Concourse D, and North Satellite.
  • Whayne Enterprises won a bid to operate independently in non-public areas such as the bagwell, Airport Office Building, Police/Security areas, and remote facilities.

Read the full story on the Port’s website.

Photo by jronaldlee on Foter.com / CC BY

Port of Seattle Offers Community Adult Education Series

The Port U series is free and open to adults, 18 years and older. Advance reservations are required. Priority will be given to first-time Port U registrants.

Get the inside scoop on the many functions of the Port of Seattle by taking a free tour! Each tour is guided by Port partners and provides detailed knowledge of the history, current usage and future plans for the Port’s holdings.  Causey Wright has had several staff attend these tours to better understand the workplaces our clients go to every day.  I’ve included a link to our blog posts describing the tours.  

DUWAMISH RIVER 101Read Kit Case’s article about this tour!

Date: Thursday, Sept. 7
Check In: 3:45 p.m.
Program: 4:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Bell Harbor Marina, Pier 66

The 5-mile-long Duwamish Waterway is important for commerce and jobs, fish and wildlife habitat, and public shoreline use areas. Learn about marine industrial commerce, the legacy of past industrial activities, fish and wildlife habitat restoration, and Superfund cleanup plans.

Partners: Alaska Marine Lines, Boeing, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, and the Environmental Protection Agency

AIRPORT 101Read Kristen Wolf’s article about this tour!

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 13
Check In: 3:45 p.m.
Program: 4:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Sea-Tac Airport is the 9th busiest U.S. airport. Learn about upcoming projects including the new International Arrivals Facility, the modernization of the North Satellite and Sea-Tac’s master planning effort that will define redevelopment over the next 20 years.

SHIP CANAL 101Read Michael Leach’s article about this tour!

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27
Check In: 3:45 p.m.
Program: 4:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Fishermen’s Terminal

Learn about the wide range of maritime industry businesses and support services that play a key role in making Seattle a focal point for commercial fishing, boat yards, and transportation between Alaska and the Lower 48 states. The Lake Washington Ship Canal is a bustling center of maritime activity.

Partners: Ballard Oil, Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, Washington Maritime Federation, NOAA Fisheries, American Waterways Operators, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Seattle Maritime Academy.

CARGO 101Read Kristen Wolf’s article about this tour!

Date: Thursday, Oct. 5
Check In: 3:45 p.m.
Program: 4:00–6:30 p.m.
Location: Port Headquarters, Pier 69

Tour Terminal 18 and learn about the movement of cargo from ship to truck to train. Hear longshore workers, and stevedores describe their roles in the supply chain and visit the BNSF intermodal rail yard to learn how shipping containers move between the port and the interior of the country.

Partners: SSA Terminals, BNSF Railway, International Longshore and Warehouse Union SHIP

REGISTER NOW

Space is limited, so reserve your spot early!
Questions? Email: portrsvp@portseattle.org, or call 206.787.3009

Photo credit: Port of Seattle image by Don Wilson