PORT OF SEATTLE
MEMORANDUM
COMMISSION AGENDA
Item No.
4a
Date of Meeting
December 6, 2011
DATE: November 29, 2011
TO: Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
FROM: Jane Kilburn, Director, Tourism Development
SUBJECT: Special Order of Business: The Port Centennial 1911-2011
In celebration of the Port’s 100 year anniversary, the Port of Seattle created an award-winning
online timeline and a documentary video, published a commemorative book, renamed Elliot Bay
Park as Centennial Park on Earth Day, opened beach access at Jack Block Park for the first time
in 100 years, hosted the American Association of Port Authorities annual convention, held a
video contest for King County students, and sponsored a “Get to Know Your Port by Bike” ride,
to mention a few of the highlights of the year. Governor Gregoire declared September 5, 2011,
Port of Seattle Day in the State of Washington, and a U.S. Flag flown at the U.S. Capitol on
September 5 was presented to the Port. A complete list of all of the Centennial events,
communications and honors is attached to this memorandum.
To some, the creation of the Port of Seattle in 1911 simply meant public ownership of land,
facilities and equipment. But supporters of the port, commissioners and employees knew that
strategic plans for the development of Seattle’s harbor would result in commerce and living-
wage jobs that would transcend time, through the ups and downs of the economy, as well as a
sustained future for a strong global market. Within a few years, Seattle was competing with the
nation’s top ports. Washington Customs District, to which Seattle belonged, nearly doubled
import and export value in its first decade, and this translated into local jobs that could provide
for a family. Longshoremen, warehousemen, contractors, administrators, engineers could all find
a job at the Port of Seattle. Today, the Port’s activities continue to help drive the regional
economy with projects like the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at Sea-Tac Airport and
industries such as commercial fishing and Alaska cruises.
Sea-Tac Airport
Airport operations support nearly 90,000 direct jobs, and the new rental car facility will add
more in 2012. During construction of the $419 million facility, more than 3,000 local, family-
wage jobs were created and over $25 million in sales tax revenues will be generated for the state
of Washington over the life of the project.
COMMISSION AGENDA
T. Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
November 29, 2011
Page 2 of 2
Seaport
At the seaport, nearly 22,000 jobs account for more than $1.6 billion in personal income.
Commercial fishing and fishing-related jobs on Port of Seattle properties employ more than
14,000 people, indicating the maritime and commercial fishing industry is as vital to Seattle’s
economy as it is to its heritage.
The Port of Seattle’s two cruise terminals generated 4,447 jobs, $425 million in annual business
revenue, and nearly $19 million annually in state and local tax revenues in 2011. Each vessel
call at the Port is worth almost $2 million for the local economy.
The port’s tagline, “Where a Sustainable World is Headed,” refers not only to environmental
stewardship, but to sound business practices designed to support future job growth and business
opportunities and a strong regional economy for many years to come.
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SPECIAL ORDER:
PowerPoint presentation
Centennial Year Recap List
“Thank You” Video
