The Port of Seattle – in partnership with the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila – are launching the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) to increase dialogue with airport communities.
The first meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Sea-Tac Airport’s Conference Center.
Meetings are open to the public.
The initiative is a new way for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and its neighbors to share information, discuss community concerns, and provide a forum for feedback on airport construction projects, programs and operations.
The cities of Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, SeaTac and Tukwila have each designated three people, two community members and one city staff, as StART participants. They will be joined by airline representatives and Sea-Tac Airport staff. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to provide agency expertise.
“A well-run airport like Sea-Tac offers economic and community benefits. We also recognize that increased demand for airport services means more impacts on our neighbors,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck. “We appreciate our airport director Lance Lyttle leading this effort for the Port, and all the local cities and community members who are helping shape the future.”
StART adds a new community dimension to the relationships that Sea-Tac Airport and the Port of Seattle have built with neighboring communities through organizations like the Highline Forum and Soundside Alliance. The Highline Forum provides government-to-government discussions on issues surrounding the airport and its impacts on adjacent cities, and the Soundside Alliance focuses on job creation and economic development in southern King County.
“We appreciate this initiative to collaborate with local cities and community members in building shared understanding about Sea-Tac’s role in the region and our neighborhoods,” said Mark Hoppen, Normandy Park City Manager.
“It’s important that we get together to share with our neighbors what we’re doing at the airport, and provide information about ongoing activities,” said Lance Lyttle, Managing Director at Sea-Tac Airport. “But it’s equally critical that we get feedback from these community members about concerns and issues that impact their quality of life.”
The StART initiative begins during a period of increased demand for air service and corresponding activity at and around the airport. Demand for air travel at Sea-Tac Airport increased 41 percent the last five years, rising from 33.2 million passengers in 2012 to 46.9 million passengers in 2017. Sea-Tac is currently underway with $2 billion in construction projects aimed at improving the travel experience and expects to spend $3.2 billion on capital development between 2017 and 2022.
The Roundtable will meet six times a year and will be led by an independent facilitator. Community members can sign up for the StART email listserv, find StART meeting agendas and meeting summaries by clicking on the StART website.