Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8e
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
October 13, 2026
DATE: September 11, 2026
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Jennifer Maietta, Director, Real Estate Asset Management
Brandon Klett, Capital Project Manager, Waterfront Project Management
Evan Conroy, Capital Project Manager, Waterfront Project Management
SUBJECT: T91 Feeder 205 Replacement Design/Long-Lead Purchase Request (C802159)
Amount of this request:
$1,200,000
Total estimated project cost:
$3,900,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to approve funding in the amount
of $1,200,000 for design and long lead material procurement for the Terminal 91 (T91) Feeder
205 Replacement Project (C802159) for a total project authorization of $1,250,000, and an
estimated total project cost of $3,900,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The electrical cable for Feeder 205 at T91 is at the end of its service life and requires immediate
replacement. This project will remove and replace all existing electrical cables for Feeder 205
between Main Substation 2 (MSS 2) and Switch SW7. Feeder 205 includes three lengths of
electrical cable that run from MSS 2 on the north end of the terminal to provide power to multiple
locations onsite. This work will restore a primary reliable power source to Building W-40, Lift
Station 7, Cruise Parking, and the Marine Maintenance North Operations (MMNO) building. The
work will require scheduled power outages. Temporary power/lighting accommodations will be
provided to impacted locations during construction.
The T91 Uplands Development Phase 1 project will perform similar electrical upgrades within the
same duct bank in which Feeder 205 is located. Scope for T91 Feeder 205 Replacement will be
incorporated into the progressive design-build (PDB) contract for T91 Uplands Development
Phase 1 to consolidate work efforts that will be taking place in the same work area. Additionally,
this approach provides the opportunity to strategically plan the duct bank work for both projects
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 2 of 5
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
to reduce the overall required outage time, streamline electrical cable procurement, and
capitalize on operational and construction efficiencies using a single contractor.
The current procurement lead-time for the required electrical cable is 65 weeks. This funding
authorization will allow for early incorporation of the project into the T91 Uplands Development
Phase 1 project, and rapid procurement of the cable to ensure minimization of impact due to
material lead-time.
JUSTIFICATION
The Port of Seattle T91 Energy and IT Plan, published on September 18
th
, 2026, identified Feeder
205 Replacement as a priority project required to preserve the reliability of power distribution to
some critical elements of the terminal, including Building W-40 (which is occupied by
Independent Packers Corp, a cold storage operation), Lift Station 7, Cruise Parking, and Marine
Maintenance North Operations (MMNO). This project is one of several asset preservation
projects included in the capital plan that will ensure reliable power distribution throughout
Terminal 91.
Feeder 205 was installed between 1997 and 1999. It was tested during an electrical
condition assessment at T91 that was delivered to Waterfront Project Management in January
2026. The resulting measurements showed that insulation resistance readings for the feeder
electrical cables are lower than the industry standard minimum and are at end of service life and
in critical need of repair. Operating Feeder 205 in this condition increases the risk of power
interruptions. If Feeder 205 fails, operational impacts affecting T91 operations, tenant operations
at Building W-40, and the Cruise parking lot would result in costly temporary power
requirements.
Diversity in Contracting
The design-builder for the T91 Uplands Development Phase 1 PDB contract has committed to a
25% WMBE aspirational goal with an additional 5% for veteran owned businesses.
DETAILS
Feeder 205 consists of three (3) electrical cables within a concrete encased duct bank. The project
scope will include removal and replacement of the existing electrical cables for Feeder 205
between Main Substation 2 (electrical source) and Switch SS 7. The electrical cables of Feeder
205 between Maintenance Hole 16 and Substation 5 will also be demolished but not be replaced
in accordance with the recommendations of the Port of Seattle T91 Energy and IT Plan. This work
will require a scheduled temporary power outage to execute. Provisions for temporary power
will be supplied to affected locations during construction.
Because the Terminal 91 Uplands project already planned to replace Feeder 207, the Feeder 205
project can utilize the same contract. This will allow more streamlined procurement.
Coordinating the Feeder 205 work with the Feeder 207 work will also allow for fewer service
alignment disruptions had the two projects been done separately.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 3 of 5
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Scope of Work
The Feeder 205 replacement work will include the following components:
(1) Demolition and removal of all existing electrical cables for Feeder 205 (roughly 5,100
linear feet)
(2) Replacement of electrical cables from Main Substation 2 to Switch SW7 (roughly 3,100
linear feet)
(3) New terminations at all equipment connection locations and in the maintenance holes
between Main Substation 2 and Switch SW7
(4) Provide temporary power/lighting to affected areas/buildings during construction
Schedule
This project will be coordinated with T91 Uplands Development Phase 1.
Activity
Commission design/long-lead authorization
Design/long-lead procurement start
Commission construction authorization
Construction Start
Feeder 205 in-use date
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Design
$525,000
$575,000
Electrical Cable (Long Lead Material)
Procurement
$675,000
$675,000
Construction
$0
$2,650,000
Total
$1,200,000
$3,900,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do nothing
Cost Implications: Savings of $3.9M to Capital Plan.
Pros:
(1) Retain Port capital for other projects and financial initiatives
(2) Avoid disruptions due to removal of existing cable and installation of new cable
Cons:
(1) Existing cables do not meet reliable power standards
(2) Increased risk of power interruptions to Port and tenant operations due to Feeder 205
cable failure, in the event of an unscheduled outage, the cost for generators to provide
emergency power would be high
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 4 of 5
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Alternative 2 – Demolish and replace all existing cable for Feeder 205
Cost Implications: Anticipated costs will be higher than recommended alternative due to
extended scope. Estimated cost $5M.
Pros:
(1) Full replacement of Feeder 205 cable as it exists today, including between Maintenance
Hole 16 and Substation 5 would provide power redundancy to Substation 5.
(2) Extends service life of Feeder 205 by 25-30 years
Cons:
(1) Full power redundancy is not required
(2) This is a more costly approach
(3) Substation 5 location will likely move with the Substation 5 Replacement project,
requiring new cable to be pulled at that time
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Demolish all electrical cable for Feeder 205 and replace only the electrical cable
between Main Substation 2 and Switch SW7
Cost Implications: Estimated cost of $3.9M.
Pros:
(1) Meets the goal of providing reliable power to the designated locations (Building W-40,
Lift Station 7, Cruise Parking, MMNO) per the Port of Seattle Terminal 91 Energy and IT
Master Plan
(2) Extends service life of Feeder 205 by 25-30 years
(3) Achieves project goal at a lower cost
Cons:
(1) Does not provide power redundancy to the current Substation 5 location
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$3,900,000
$0
$ 3,900,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
$50,000
$0
$50,000
Current request for authorization
$1,200,000
$0
$1,200,000
Total authorizations, including this request
$1,250,000
$0
$1,250,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$2,650,000
$0
$2,650,000
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8e Page 5 of 5
Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This project is proposed in the 2027 Capital Plan under C802159 T91 Feeder 205 Replacement
with a total project cost of $3,038,000.
This project is funded by the General Fund.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$3,900,000
Business Unit (BU)
Maritime Portfolio Management
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
This project will increase annual depreciation by
approximately $156K based on an estimated 25-year
service life.
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
N/A
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
This project will provide reliable and resilient electrical power to the facilities powered by Feeder
205 for the next 25-30 years. The Port assets that are currently powered by Feeder 205 are
Building W-40, Lift Station 7, Marine Maintenance North Operations building, and Cruise Parking.
Maintaining existing assets will preserve the economic vitality of Port operations and serve the
Port, tenants, and their customers by providing a safe and sustainable working environment.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None