Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
10b
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
May 26, 2026
DATE: May 14, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Eileen Francisco, Director, Aviation Project Management
Keri Stephens, Director, Aviation Facilities and Capital Programs
SUBJECT: Main Terminal Improvement Program (MTIP) – Emergency Power (CIP# C801266)
Amount of this request:
$7,000,000
Total estimated project cost:
$350,000,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to approve 30% design
development for the Emergency Power scope of work of the Main Terminal Improvement
Program (MTIP). Upon completion of the 30 percent design, the program will return for full
authorization for design and construction. This request is for $7 million of a total estimated
project cost of $350,000,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
While the airport does have emergency power, it does not have capacity for a fully pressurized
smoke control system, which is the Airport’s ultimate safety goal for the Main Terminal and
concourses.
The MTIP Emergency Power Program will provide emergency power needed to energize the
smoke control systems of the Main Terminal, Concourses, including the C Concourse Expansion
(CCE) project and the SEA Gateway program.
The Sustainability Framework identified this program as a tier one project, as this all-electrical
work will provide two, three-megawatt generators southeast of the parking garage, with pads for
two future generators. The larger electrical load will be routed to the airport from the north and
south electrical sub stations. Terminal equipment replacement and concourse distribution rooms
will also be included in this highly regulated work.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
JUSTIFICATION
This project will provide required emergency power loads to the Main Terminal and Concourses
B, C, and D to provide smoke control systems for the SEA Gateway program, CCE and the
Concourse HVAC Renewal/Replacement project.
Diversity in Contracting
In coordination with the Diversity in Contracting Department, 15% WMBE aspirational goal has
been set for this early step of the program. The goal will be reevaluated as the program proceeds
to procuring the design builder.
DETAILS
The Main Terminal Improvement Program – Emergency Power project is required to support a
terminal and concourse wide smoke control program.
The scope of work is to provide 700, 701 and 702 emergency power loads to the Main Terminal,
concourses and parking garage. The CCE will connect to this new infrastructure emergency
power.
Scope of Work
• Provide two (2) three-megawatt generators with future expansion up to four (4)
generators, located along a paved drive and grassy area adjacent to the parking
garage’s southernmost helix. These generators will provide required emergency power
loads to the Main Terminal and concourses.
• Deliver emergency power loads from the South Main Service Point (SMS) on 188th
Street and from the North Main Service Point (NMS) on International Blvd between
170th and 176th streets.
Remove decommissioned generators and existing switchgear and install new
distribution centers.
• Project constructs emergency power switchboards and transformers into the existing
concourses.
Schedule
Commission design authorization
2026 Q2
Design start
2027 Q1
Commission construction authorization
2027 Q3
Construction start
2029 Q4
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
In-use date
2032 Q1
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Design
$7,000,000
80,000,000
Construction
0
270,000,000
Total
$7,000,000
$350,000,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 –
Build the full Main Terminal Improvement Program. This includes emergency power, a fully
pressurized smoke control system, new sprinklers and rework of existing, and a comprehensive
architectural renovation including ceiling, lighting and wall and floor renovations.
Cost Implications: $1.3-$1.5B
Pros:
(1) Increase infrastructure capacity and have an architecturally refreshed Main Terminal.
Cons:
(1) High cost.
(2) Large impacts on customer service and operations within the Main Terminal.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Build out the emergency power, smoke control and fire sprinkler systems only, in
the Main Terminal.
Cost Implications: $600-800M
Pros:
(1) This alternative would provide emergency power and a fully functioning, pressurized
smoke control system in the Main Terminal, as well as sprinkler updates and provide
limited architecture updates to accommodate the new work (ceiling, lights, some
signage, etc.)
Cons:
(1) This strategy has extensive ancillary construction work that balloons the project cost.
For example, by removing the ceiling for the sprinklers and smoke control, the project
would be required to fully abate the structural deck and systems. The project would not
be able to re-use the old ceiling, so a new one would be required. This alternative would
also require new lighting, security cameras and signage.
(2) The cost exceeds budget capacity.
(3) Construction is highly impactful to customer service and operations.
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Alternative 3 – MTIP Emergency Power
Cost Implications: $200 - $350M
Pros:
(1) Provides required emergency power for both existing and planned smoke control
systems in the Main Terminal and Concourses.
(2) Meets affordability requirements.
Cons:
(1) Does not provide smoke control in the Main Terminal.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
MTIP was included in the 2026 plan of finance under CIP C801266.
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$778,000,000
$22,000,000
$800,000,000
Current change
-$428,000,000
-$22,000,000
-$450,000,000
Revised estimate
$350,000,000
0
$350,000,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$5,000,000
0
$5,000,000
Current request for authorization
$7,000,000
0
$7,000,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$12,000,000
0
$12,000,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$338,000,000
$0
$338,000,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project, CIP C801266, was included in the 2026-2030 capital budget and plan of finance with
a budget of $800,000,000. A budget decrease of $450 million was transferred to the Aeronautical
Allowance CIP (C800753) resulting in zero net change to the Aviation capital budget. The funding
sources will be revenue bonds and Airport Development Fund (ADF).
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 10b Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$350,000,000
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
$0.81 in 2033
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
It is anticipated that there will be increased costs to ongoing operating and maintenance work
performed by Aviation Maintenance (AVM) in the renovated Main Terminal space. AVM will
continue to work through design challenges while also anticipating increased O&M costs.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
Available in the attachments.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
September 22, 2020, Item 9B, Commission received a briefing on The Main Terminal
Infrastructure Project.
October 13, 2020, Item 6B, Commission authorized $4,850,000 to begin A and E services to
examine the extent of the work.
November 9, 2021 – Item 10e, Commission received a request for additional scope
authorization.
