Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6f
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
February 11, 2020
DATE: February 3, 2020
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Laurel Dunphy, Director Aviation Operations
Wayne Grotheer, Director Aviation Project Management
SUBJECT: Seating Replacement and Electrical Infrastructure Project (CIP #C800959)
Amount of this request:
$1,700,000
Total estimated project cost:
$10,300,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) prepare design and bid
documents and (2) purchase a portion of time-sensitive seating now for the Seating
Replacement and Electrical Infrastructure project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in an
amount not to exceed $1,700,000 out of a total estimated project cost of $10,300,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this project is to improve passenger experience by continuing to replace older
existing seating with the Port’s current standard seating that includes electrical charging. This
project will purchase and install new gate holdroom seating for Concourse A and construct
electrical infrastructure so that passengers can charge their electronic devices from their seats.
This project will also install bench seating for passenger recomposure at security checkpoints
and lounge seating at two locations: the South Satellite Club at SEA and an area in the South
Satellite west end concourse level.
This request, should it be authorized, would allow the project to start design. It would also
allow immediate purchase of some seating in need of replacement due to its condition. To
meet this need, the project would purchase approximately 400 seats now. The remainder of
the seating, approximately 2600 seats, would be purchased later as a part of this project’s next
authorization request scheduled for Q1 2021.
The Port has previously completed projects that installed new gate holdroom seating and
electrical power at Concourses B and C, the North Satellite, and the Concourse D Annex, in
accordance with the Airport seating standard. This project continues implementation of new
seating and electrical power throughout the Airport terminal.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6f___ Page 2 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
The Airport’s gate seating standard is primarily row seating and a small amount of accent
seating that provides more color options, aesthetic variety, and/or extra comfort. Older existing
seats will be relocated to airport areas in need of seating or will be removed through the Port
Asset Disposition process.
JUSTIFICATION
In a Gate Comfort Study, travelers expressed many factors that contribute to their comfort
while waiting at gates. The biggest need for improvement identified in the study was for the
provision of electrical power at seating, as well as availability of comfortable seating in the
boarding area. The installation of new seating when combined with electrical charging
capability satisfies this need. This project will replace existing older seating and offer a
consistent airport experience regardless of location. The project will provide seating that meets
the needs of people with reduced mobility.
Diversity in Contracting
This project plans to use an existing architect design services IDIQ contract which includes small
business requirements. For construction, project staff will work with the Diversity in
Contracting Department to identify a woman and minority business enterprise (WMBE)
aspirational goals.
DETAILS
Gate holdrooms will remain operational throughout the project. Construction and seating
removal and installation will occur off-hours to minimize disruptions.
The South Satellite concourse level includes a specific seating area (Relaxation Area) at the west
end for which this project will replace seating, but not include electrical charging capability. The
replacement of these seats is required due to the condition of the existing seating. The project
scope does not include replacement of seating on Concourse D or South Satellite gate
holdrooms. Work in those areas will be completed by future projects after new electrical
infrastructure is constructed to provide the necessary electrical capacity.
Scope of Work
This project will purchase and install new seating and construct electrical infrastructure as
described below:
(1) Electrical infrastructure, including new electrical panels, new conduit and wiring, and
recessed floor receptacles (approximately 20 per holdroom), on Concourse A to
provide charging capability for passengers
(2) Seating on Concourse A gate holdrooms with electrical charging
(3) Seating at The Club at SEA lounge at the South Satellite with electrical charging for
some seats re-using existing electrical circuits
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6f___ Page 3 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(4) Seating at the Relaxation Area at the west end of the South Satellite with no electrical
charging
(5) Seating at passenger security checkpoint recomposure areas (without charging
capability as these locations are intended for transitional use only)
Seating Location
Type of Seating
Electrical Charging at
Seats?
Concourse A Gate
Holdrooms
Primarily row seating and a small
amount of accent seating
Row seating – Yes
Accent seating – if possible
Club at SEA
at South Satellite
Lounge-style seating
At some seats, utilizing
existing wall outlets
Relaxation Area
at South Satellite West End
Lounge-style seating
No
Security Checkpoints
Bench seating
No
Schedule
Activity
Design start
2020 Quarter 2
Commission construction authorization
2021 Quarter 1
Construction start
2021 Quarter 3
In-use date
2022 Quarter 2
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Design
$1,700,000
$1,700,000
Construction
$0
$8,600,000
Total
$1,700,000
$10,300,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Provide only row seating with electrical charging and no accent seating in the
Concourse A gate holdrooms. Provide lounge-style seating for the Club at SEA on South Satellite
and at the relaxation area at the west end of South Satellite. Provide bench seating at security
checkpoints.
Cost Implications: $10,000,000
Pros:
(1) Row seating is more durable than the accent seating.
(2) Row seating typically provides more seats in a given space than accent seating
(greater seating density).
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6f___ Page 4 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Cons:
(1) Passengers will not have the opportunity to enjoy aesthetic variety, extra comfort, or
color variation in the accent seating.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Provide row seating with electrical charging and accent seating in the Concourse
A gate hold rooms. Provide row seating without electrical charging and accent seating in the
Concourse D gate holdrooms due to the lack of available electrical power. Provide lounge-style
seating for the Club at SEA on South Satellite and at the relaxation area at the west end of
South Satellite. Provide bench seating at security checkpoints.
Cost Implications: $14,000,000
Pros:
(1) Continues implementation of a portion of the Port’s new standard seating throughout
the airport facility by providing new holdroom seating on Concourses A and D.
Cons:
(1) Does not meet the Port’s seating standard or passenger expectations that new seating
provides charging capability. This could even diminish the passenger experience by
having non-functional charging capability until electrical infrastructure can be
upgraded.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Provide row seating with electrical charging and accent seating in the Concourse
A gate hold rooms. Provide lounge-style seating for the Club at SEA on South Satellite and at the
relaxation area at the west end of South Satellite. Provide bench seating at security
checkpoints.
Cost Implications: $10,300,000
Pros:
(1) Improves passenger experience
(2) Continues implementation of the Port’s new seating standard throughout the airport
facility by providing new holdroom seating on Concourse A.
(3) Provides passengers with aesthetic variety, extra comfort, or color variation in the
supplemental seating.
Cons:
(1) Does not include seating on Concourse D. A future seating project would need to
provide seating on Concourse D after the electrical infrastructure is upgraded on that
concourse.
(2) Includes accent seating that is aesthetically pleasing, however, is less durable than the
row seating and may need to be replaced more often.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6f___ Page 5 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(3) Includes accent seating that will fit fewer seats in a given space than row seating
(lower seating density).
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Expense costs are for procurement of seating at lounge, relaxation area, security checkpoints,
and gate alternate seating. Those seats (fabric upholstery or less durable materials) are assets
that are not expected to last more than three years due to the high level of use and therefore
cannot be capitalized, so the costs are treated as expenses.
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$14,347,000
$0
$14,347,000
Scope and cost revisions
($5,277,000)
$1,230,000
($4,047,000)
Revised estimate
$9,070,000
$1,230,000
$10,300,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$50,000
$0
$50,000
Current request for authorization
$1,200,000
$500,000
$1,700,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$1,250,000
$500,000
$1,750,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$7,820,000
$730,000
$8,550,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project, CIP C800722, was included in the 2020-2024 capital budget and plan of finance
with a budget of $14,347,000. The capital budget decreased due to the following: (1) a
reduction in scope removing the work from Concourse D; and (2) some of the seating is
anticipated to be expense rather than capital. The expense furniture is not in the 2020 budget
because it was not known at that time, and it might not be needed, but if it is, the Aviation
Division will strive to absorb it. The reduced capital cost was transferred to the Aeronautical
Reserve CIP (C800753) resulting in zero net change to the Aviation capital budget. The funding
source will be revenue bonds.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$10,300,000
Business Unit (BU)
Terminal Building
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
NOI after depreciation will increase due to inclusion of
capital (and operating) costs in airline rate base.
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
$0.06 in 2022, and $0.02 in following years.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _6f___ Page 6 of 6
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
Maintenance of the new row seating will be less expensive than old row seating, because
damaged components can be removed easily with just a few fasteners. The accent and lounge-
style seating tend to be less durable than row seating and will need to be repaired/replaced
more frequently, but no more frequently than existing accent seating.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
April 11, 2017 – The Commission authorized new seating on Concourses B and C for
$9,300,000.
