Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6h
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
February 11, 2020
DATE: February 4, 2020
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: James Schone, Director Aviation Commercial Management
Wayne Grotheer, Director Aviation Project Management
SUBJECT: Rental Car Facility (RCF) Security Improvements (CIP #C801110)
Amount of this request:
$6,000,000
Total estimated project cost:
$6,000,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) prepare design and
construction bid documents for the Rental Car Facility Security Improvements project at
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and (2) advertise and execute a major public works
contract for the construction of the project, all for an estimated project cost of $6,000,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This project provides security enhancements to the RCF at the Airport in response to a recent
security assessment of the facility. The modifications proposed would install architectural
barriers along the ground level that include portions of three different levels of the facility, due
to the sloped terrain of the RCF site. Egress-only doors would be installed on four of five levels
in all eight external stair towers. The doors will be equipped with audible alarms that sound
whenever the doors are in the open position. Due to the accelerated schedule for this project,
this authorization request includes both design and construction efforts. The total estimated
project cost has increased from $1,760,000 to $6,000,000 due to a change of scope based upon
pre-design considerations.
During pre-design it was determined that the original $1,760,000 budget would not accomplish
the project objectives. The scope would not limit unauthorized access along the western edge
of the facility from the ground level (levels 2 and 3). Adding barriers to these areas nearly
doubled the square footage. Furthermore, the scope did not meet building code requirements
for stairway landings and egress. To meet these requirements the stair towers were left open
from the 1
st
to the 5
th
floor. However, to ensure security of the facility doors were added on
each floor. The doors were added between the building and the stair towers, increasing the
number of doors tenfold. Stair tower doors could be propped open without any notification,
and so audible alarms were also added. Lastly, as part of the new $6,000,000 budget, additional
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6h Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
contingency was added to offset the risk of proceeding with a single authorization for design
and construction.
JUSTIFICATION
Auto theft has been a recurring problem at the RCF, with the magnitude of the problem
increasing during the past several years. The facility’s stairwells were designed to be open and
do not prevent unauthorized persons from entering the facility through the ground level. The
proposed modifications to the open ground level areas and stairwell towers address this issue,
which was one of the recommendations made in the security assessment of the facility
completed, in 2018. The rental car tenants within the RCF have requested that the Port
complete these improvements to ensure safe and secure operations of the facility. The Port is
leading this project based on the terms of the RCF Lease Agreement. This project supports the
Port’s Century Agenda strategy of advancing this region as a leading tourism destination and
business gateway by meeting the region’s air transportation needs at the Airport for the next
25 years.
DETAILS
The RCF, which opened in 2012, houses the majority of rental car companies with operations at
the Airport. During 2017 through 2018, the RCF experienced a marked increase in attempted
and successful vehicle thefts.
In late 2018, the Port and the rental car companies who are tenants at the RCF jointly
sponsored a security assessment. This assessment resulted in numerous recommendations
aimed at reducing the incidence of significant property loss to the rental car companies, or
personal injury to their patrons and employees.
The Port, through a separate project currently under construction which was approved by
Commission in April 2019, is replacing the current six-foot site fencing with a new ten-foot anti-
climb fence. In addition, the Port Commission approved a project in December 2019, which will
replace and expand the cameras contained within the RCF, that will assist in monitoring activity.
These projects are part of a larger collaborative effort between the Port and the rental car
tenants, at the RCF, to implement the recommendations in the security assessment.
The current project proposal would limit the unfettered access to the ground level of the RCF
building through the placement of ground level fencing at the open areas of the RCF and
egress-only emergency stairwell doors on the east and west faces of the building. This will
restrict and channel access to the structure through central corridors allowing for improved
monitoring of activity. Materials used would be aesthetically consistent with the facility while
serving a crucial security function.
This project will also undergo a majority-in-interest (MII) review by the rental car tenants, in
accordance with the RCF lease agreements. The rental car tenants support the expanded effort
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6h Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
to accomplish the set forth objectives of this project. The MII review is anticipated to be
completed during Q1 2020.
Diversity in Contracting
The project team will work with the Diversity in Contracting Department to determine
participation opportunities and set appropriate aspirational goals for women and minority
business enterprises (WMBE) participation in the construction contract.
Scope of Work
The project will provide security improvements to the RCF as described below.
• Installation of anti-climb architectural barriers to fill the gaps throughout the ground level,
including levels 1 through 3, that currently allow trespassers access to the facility.
• Installation of egress-only exit doors on levels 1 through 4 for all eight external stair towers.
The doors will be equipped with audible alarms that sound whenever the doors are in the
open position. Because the alarms will also sound during legitimate egress, they will not be
as abrasive as an emergency exit siren.
Schedule
2020 Q3
2021 Q1
2021 Q4
Estimated Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Design Phase
$1,115,000
$1,115,000
Construction Phase
$4,885,000
$4,885,000
Total
$6,000,000
$6,000,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Port performs no security improvements.
Cost Implications: $0
Pros:
(1) Capital investment not required.
Cons:
(1) This does not reduce access to the RCF via the open areas on the ground level and
does not support the recommendations in the security threat assessment.
(2) Additional security enhancements to be installed by the rental car tenants will not be
as effective without these improvements.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6h Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Install architectural barriers along the eastern edge of the first level. Install
egress only doors at ground level entry points in all eight external stair towers.
Cost Implications: $1,760,000
Pros:
(1) Limits unauthorized access along the eastern edge of the first level.
(2) Limits unauthorized access from the ground level into all eight stair towers.
Cons:
(1) Does not limit unauthorized access along the western edge of the facility from the
ground level (levels 2 and 3).
(2) Does not meet building code requirements for stairway landings.
(3) Stair tower doors can be propped open without any notification.
(4) Requires capital investment by the Port.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Install architectural barriers along the eastern edge of the first level, and
portions of the western edge of the second and third levels. Install egress-only doors at four of
the five levels in all eight external stair towers with audible alarms.
Cost Implications: $6,000,000
Pros:
(1) Limits unauthorized access from the ground level along eastern and western edge of
the facility.
(2) Limits unauthorized pedestrian access from the ground level into all eight external
stair towers
(3) Meets building code requirements for stairway landings.
Cons:
(1) Requires additional capital investment by the Port.
This is the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6h Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: February 11, 2020
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$1,760,000
$0
$1,760,000
Current change
$4,240,000
$0
$4,240,000
Revised estimate
$6,000,000
$0
$6,000,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$100,000
$0
$100,000
Current request for authorization
$5,900,000
$0
$5,900,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$6,000,000
$0
$6,000,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The RCF Security Improvements (CIP #C801110) project was included in the 2020-2024 capital
budget and plan of finance with a total budget of $1,760,000 (see Alternative 2). A budget
increase of $4,240,000 will be transferred from #C800754 Non-Aeronautical Allowance in order
to complete the project with the recommended scope (Alternative 3). This project will be
funded by Customer Facility Charge (CFC) revenues per the terms of the RCF Lease Agreement.
While there is not a means for the rental car companies to recoup these costs, this project
would also not trigger an increase to the current (CFC).
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$6,000,000
Business Unit (BU)
Rental Cars
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
NOI after depreciation will decrease
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
None
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
According to the terms of the RCF Lease Agreement, the rental car tenants are responsible for
the on-going operating and maintenance costs of these improvements.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None