The Port of Seattle alerts us that the north entrance to the Sea-Tac Airport Garage will close overnight for four nights beginning tonight (Monday, Dec. 14) and continuing through Thursday, Dec. 17th.

It will close at approximately 7pm each evening and will reopen each morning at approximately 5am.

The reason for the closure is that contractors will be removing the scaffolding below the pedestrian bridge between the Sound Transit Link Light Station and the Airport Parking Garage.

Link light service to Sea-Tac begins this coming Saturday, Dec. 19th.

During the north entrance closure, vehicles will be detoured via the upper drive (Departures level) to the south entrance of the garage. Rental car returns will be detoured to a temporary access road. Traffic exiting the garage will not be affected. Drivers should watch closely for the temporary directional signs.

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The City of SeaTac will be hosting an Open House from 5pm to 8pm on Monday, Dec. 7th to showcase new plans for downtown development.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Open house to see what the future holds for the city’s downtown, with city leaders including the City Manager and representatives from the Departments of Public Works and Planning. Consultants from KPG (engineers/architects), Heartland, LLC (analysis/project management/development), and Seth Harry & Associates (architect/urban design)

WHEN: Monday, December 7, 2009, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Holiday Inn Conference Center, located at 17338 International Blvd., SeaTac, Wash. 98188

INFO: From a press release:

Help shape the future of your community.

This is your chance to review maps and renderings of the planned downtown and experience the vision for the future of the City of SeaTac.

Talk to city leaders and development experts.

Learn where the project is headed and share your thoughts.

Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail Station will be opening December 19, 2009 at International Blvd. and S. 176th Street is located at the entrance to the envisioned SeaTac Downtown/City Center.

Families are welcome. Refreshments will be available. Free parking will be provided.

For additional information please contact the City of SeaTac at 206-973-4820.

Incorporated in February 1990, the City of SeaTac is located approximately midway between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. The City of SeaTac is 10 square miles in area and has a population of 25,230. The City of SeaTac is a vibrant community, economically strong, environmentally sensitive, and people-oriented. The City boundaries surround the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, (approximately 3 square miles in area) which is owned and operated by the Port of Seattle.

For more information contact Jeff Robinson, Economic Development Manager, at (206) 973-4812.

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The Port of Seattle Tuesday announced Tuesday that Sea-Tac Airport won first place for the Best “Green” Concessions Practice award among airports in North America.

The “green” in the award is referring of course the ecological elements that the food vendors at the airport use.

The honor was announced during the 2009 Airports Council International – North America Concessions Conference in Indianapolis, at which roughly 200 representatives of North American airport concessions industry were in attendance.

Sea-Tac was also awarded second place for Best Convenience Retail Program.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by our airport peers for our integrated recycling, composting and food bank program,” said Mark Reis, the airport’s Managing Director. “The airport concessionaires and staff have worked tirelessly to divert recyclable and compostable materials from landfills and thereby reducing waste, feeding the needy and helping lead our region and the airport industry to a sustainable future.”

According to a Port press release, during 2008, airport concessionaires recycled more than 1,200 tons of material – an amount equivalent to the weight of six Boeing 747 aircraft. During the same period, they avoided disposal costs and generated revenue through rebates on recyclables which totaled $160,000. Sea-Tac concessionaires made waste reduction and recycling a priority by recycling cardboard, used cooking oil, food waste and coffee grounds. Since 2001, Sea-Tac concessionaires diverted thousands of tons of recyclable material from landfills through recycling, composting, and food bank donation programs. Concessionaires donated food that served 8,000 meals to needy families in 2008.

Sea-Tac’s recycling programs are even estimated to have prevented the release of Greenhouse Gas emissions equivalent to removing 819 passenger cars from the road annually; conserved an amount of energy equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 83 households (USEPA Waste Reduction Model), and saved 3,700 cubic yards of landfill space.

The purpose of the Airport Concessions Contest is to inspire creativity in the industry and to recognize innovative and outstanding airport concessions. These awards help to demonstrate the growing importance of concessions to the total airport experience. This year’s contest received more than 160 nominations from airports of all sizes throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Here are the results of the categories involving Sea-Tac Airport:

• Best “Green” Concession Practice or Concept 
1st Place: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 
2nd Place: C-Pier Expansion, Vancouver International Airport
3rd Place: Concourse D, Portland International Airport
Honorable Mention: Enroute Spa, Indianapolis International Airport
• Best Convenience Retail Program – Large Airport 
1st Place: Atrium, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2nd Place: Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Entries for this year’s contest were judged by an independent panel comprised of high-level professionals with no vested interest in concession operations, or the outcome of any one airport. In addition to the independent panel, one representative from the previous year’s overall winner was also involved in the judging process.

Previously, Sea-Tac Airport won the Richard A. Griesbach Award of Excellence in 2007 recognizing the Best Food and Beverage Program in North America. That year, three additional awards were won by Sea-Tac and its merchants: 1st place, Best Specialty Retail Program, 2nd place, Best New Food and Beverage Concept [Waji’s], and 2nd place, Best New Consumer Services Concept [butter LONDON].

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You can now get free wi-fi at Sea-Tac Airport, courtesy of Google, which announced Tuesday that it is now sponsoring free wireless access at 47 airports around the US.

Sea-Tac’s free offer (along with Burbank Airport), are considered “indefinite,” while the others are scheduled to expire Jan. 15, 2010.

According to the Google Free Wi-Fi website:

When you’re traveling this holiday season, you can enjoy free WiFi at 47 participating airports and on every Virgin America flight. Just bring a WiFi-enabled laptop or mobile device and stay connected to family and friends for free while you travel now through January 15, 2010.

The promotion, in cooperation with three wireless carriers, is clearly a marketing effort to use free Wi-Fi to boost the Google brand.

Just be careful when logging on though – many hackers have set up “Free Wi-Fi” networks in public places, so make sure you’re actually hopping on board the Google one.

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by Ralph Nichols

Most residents of the Pacific Northwest would think that Boy Scouts participating in a day-long event to earn a merit badge on a mostly sunny Saturday in late October would be hiking in the Cascade Mountains or exploring the Puget Sound shoreline.

But such was not the case on Oct. 24, when 160 scouts packed classrooms at the Alaska Airlines Flight Operations Center in SeaTac and visited the company’s hangar at Sea-Tac International Airport for a close look at a Boeing 737-700 – inside and out.

The first Aviation Merit Badge day, sponsored by Alaska Airlines in partnership with the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America, was by all accounts an overwhelming success, with many more scouts wanting to participate than there was space to accommodate.

During the day, Boy Scouts were introduced not only to the dynamics of flight and the basics of flying an airplane, but also to airport management, flight operations, air traffic control, and careers in aviation.

Aviation Merit Badge day came about, said Brad Tilden, president of Alaska Airlines (and an Eagle Scout and Highline High School graduate), because “we love to support the Boy Scouts.”

But a golfing auction that the airline sponsored to support scouting wasn’t quite the thing since “there are not a lot of golfers here.” The merit badge idea surfaced as company officials looked for new ways to support the scouts.

“Most of us in aviation remember something that sparked our interest,” Tilden said. “We hope this merit badge event is the spark for some of these scouts. We hope we have fun and that the scouts learn something about aviation.”

Noting that he felt the “energy” while walking around the Flight Operations Center and observing the scouts, Tilden added that he would “love” to do another aviation merit badge day for scouts – perhaps expanded to include girls next time.

Pat Craven, director of development and marketing for the Chief Seattle Council, said the event – “a first for the Boy Scouts and a first for Alaska Airlines,” which he described as “a great friend and partner of scouting” – was “really unique.”

Craven called it “an overwhelming success. We allotted space for 140 scouts, then expanded it to 160, and we still had a waiting list. Alaska is already talking about doing another one next year.

“We’re so excited that Alaska has done this for Boy Scouts. It’s such an exceptional opportunity for them to get an introduction to aviation and aviation careers. They’re still running an airline today, yet they have so many volunteers here doing this.”

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The Port of Seattle Police Department announced Thursday (Oct. 8th) that they arrested three and seized 11 kilograms of cocaine as part of the biggest drug bust ever at Sea-Tac Airport.

Port Police worked with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the operation last week, and the three suspects were indicted today by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Last week’s seizure and arrests represent good police work, and I’m very proud of the officers and detectives who participated,” said Port Police Chief Colleen Wilson. “I’m also grateful for the ongoing partnership with our colleagues at the TSA.”

On September 30, the suspects checked-in bags prior to boarding a flight to Alaska. TSA officers discovered five kilograms of cocaine in one bag during routine X-ray procedures for all checked baggage and notified port police. The bag owner was located at the departure gate and, with the help of airline personnel, was determined to be traveling with other companions. Further investigation by police – including assistance from Officer Lilly, a member of the port’s K-9 unit – led to the search of two more bags where an additional six kilograms were discovered.

The suspects have been indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The penalty is a mandatory maximum 10 years to life in prison and up to a $4 million fine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes the 11 kilos of cocaine is one of the largest seizures of its kind in the region.

So remember folks, next time you travel – not only can you not bring aboard more than 3 ounces of toothpaste, but 11 kilos of cocaine is illegal as well.

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On Tuesday, Aug. 18th, the Port of Seattle hosted members of the press at a tour of the reconstruction project that is in the final stages of completion on the first (as well as oldest and longest) runway, also known as “16L/34R.”

Approximately 80% of the concrete has already been poured for the new runway, and finishing touches will be completed over the next month. The original concrete runway, built in 1944, is being crushed and recycled as the gravel sub-base for the new runway. This sub base is 12 inches, topped by a 4-inch asphalt layer and then the 20-inch concrete runway.

In comparison, Sea-Tac’s third runway is only 17-inches thick.

This re-construction is the main reason why the airport’s third runway has been in use so much recently.

Photographer Michael Brunk was there to capture these photos:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

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The Port of Seattle tells us that the exit from the Airport Garage is being changed on Tuesday morning, July 28th, at approximately 5 a.m. to accommodate construction of the new pedestrian bridge that will connect the Link Light Rail station to the Airport.

Drivers leaving the garage are advised to make an immediate right to enter the northbound Airport Expressway. This route gives drivers access to the exit to South 170th Street, which connects to both Air Cargo Road and International Boulevard (SR 99).

The Light Link Rail connection between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport will be completed by the end of 2009,

Drivers should use extra caution exiting the toll plaza, drive slowly and pay close attention to signage on the new route.

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Sea-Tac Airport is re-opening a new, larger Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 9am on Monday, July 27th, just north of the old lot on Air Cargo Road

This new lot includes nearly 100 spaces for vehicles, doubling the size of the old one.

The Cell Phone Waiting Lot is a free service courtesy The Port of Seattle that allows drivers to wait up to 30 minutes until arriving passengers have deplaned, collected luggage and called to be picked up outside of Baggage Claim. Drivers must stay with their vehicles.

The Port cautions however:

“Please be aware there is no parking or waiting allowed on the airport roadway shoulders at any time.”

The previous lot was closed for six weeks in order to facilitate a new air cargo operation in the cargo terminal building next to the lot. The building now houses a number of air cargo airline operations that ship freight of all kinds, including exports of Washington state’s bumper cherry crop. The Port of Seattle estimates lease and cargo related earnings of $40,000 per week from that facility during the closure period, or over $240,000 in total. The new lot was not available to open until Monday.

Driving Directions To the Cell Phone Lot:

• From the Southbound Airport Expressway: Take the Air Cargo Rd./Cell Phone Lot exit, turn right onto 170th, turn right onto Air Cargo Road and follow that road until you see the Cell Phone Waiting Lot on your left.
• From Southbound International Blvd: Turn right onto 170th, turn right onto Air Cargo Road and follow that road until you see the Cell Phone Waiting Lot on your left.

From the Cell Phone Lot to Baggage Claim (Arrivals Drive):
Take a right out of the Cell Phone Lot and make left on Air Cargo Road (sign reads to terminal). Follow signs to Arrivals.

For more information on Sea-Tac Airport’s parking options, visit their website: http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/ground/

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The Port of Seattle Monday announced that an estimated 3,000 jobs will be restored when the airport “Consolidated Rental Car Facility” parking garage construction begins again.

The Port of Seattle, the City of SeaTac, Turner Construction and representatives from the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council and King County Labor Council will officially re-start the construction at a press conference and media photo opportunity on Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:30am.

Construction on the $419 million, 23-acre site will generate more than 3,000 local, family-wage jobs and nearly $2 million in tax revenue for the City of SeaTac over the life of the project. At least 1,000 jobs are expected to be created by the end of 2009. The facility is scheduled to open in spring of 2012.

The Sea-Tac Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility will support all airport-related rental car operations at one convenient location. It is designed to meet the current and future demands of the traveling public. The facility will be a five-story structure that will greatly improve the size, space, and efficiency of rental car operations that are currently spread out from the main terminal garage and multiple off-site locations. In addition, the facility will open up two floors of public parking, more than 3,200 spaces, in the main terminal garage.

The project was temporarily suspended in December 2008 due to the meltdown in the global credit market. The Port of Seattle Commission approved the successful sale of $317 million in revenue bonds in late June in order to re-start the project.

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