King Count Int'l Airport continues to propel economic growth

King County Int'l Airport continues to propel economic growth

Photos: King County International Airport

King County International Airport terminal and airfield.

Despite a sluggish economy and lingering effects of 9/11, business at King County International Airport (KCIA), contributed more than $1.6 billion to the Puget Sound economy in 2002. The figure comes from a recently completed economic impact study conducted by Dr. William Beyers at the University of Washington and represents an increase of some $170 million since the last economic study conducted in 1998.

KCIA is home base for more than 150 businesses such as the Boeing Company, Galvin Flying Service and UPS. Tenants include commercial airlines, airfreight companies, aircraft service and repair, flight schools, charter operations and helicopter services. The airport is also home for hundreds of small aircraft owners who rent hanger space and tie-downs for recreational and business purposes.

The airport is owned and operated by King County, but does not receive any general tax dollars. It is completely supported by user fees such as on-site rents and tenant fees in addition to some Federal Aviation Administration revenues.

“The $500,000 voters overwhelmingly approved in the 1920s to build the airport continues to represent a tremendous investment for the county today,” King County Executive Ron Sims said. “For many years King County International Airport has been one of the top general aviation airports in the country and continues to be a major catalyst for economic growth throughout the Puget Sound region.”

“The economic study attributes the increase in business activity to airport tenants reporting new product development and general business growth,” KCIA Director Bob Burke said. “According to a tenant survey conducted in conjunction with the economic study, 70 percent of tenants say they anticipate an increase in their future revenues, which means more positive economic news may be in store for the region.”

In many cases, airport tenants have indicated they believe continued growth will occur as a result of the economy's recovery, while others point to growth projected to occur within their own industry. Passenger air and air cargo tenants, along with service industry tenants are the most likely to expect an increase in sales in the coming years.

The study estimates the airport directly and indirectly generates 10,201 jobs.

In addition, nearly $39 million in state and local taxes were generated by the airport's economic activity. The report concludes this economic activity would not be present in King County if KCIA were not operating here.

These studies allow the airport to track economic trends and how they relate to aviation development and operations, both locally and nationally. The complete text of the economic study can be found online at: http://www.metrokc.gov/airport/

Watch this video about KCIA! (real media)

Watch this video about KCIA! (windows media)

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Pick up new bus timetables

Three times a year, Metro Transit adjusts bus service in response to changes in where people live and work. The next service change will go into effect on Saturday, Jan. 31, but it involves only minor schedule adjustments.

New green timetables will be available this Friday, Jan. 23 on buses, in display racks, and at other Metro information locations. Passengers can also visit Metro's Online Trip Planner to plan trips between specific points. Enter a travel date on or after Jan. 31 for trip plans that incorporate any service changes.

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Future proposed bus route changes

Metro Transit is proposing future changes to bus service in Rainier Valley, Seward Park, North Beacon Hill, First Hill, and Capitol Hill's Broadway district involving routes 7, 9, 39, 60 and 124. These changes would adjust bus routes to provide more reliable and efficient service and respond to passenger requests for service changes.

Metro has mailed an eight-page publication and a questionnaire to every household and business address in the areas affected by proposed transit changes, which would not take place until September 2004. Metro will hold seven open house meetings to gather public feedback, click here to see a list of meeting dates and locations. Comments can also be sent to Metro by mail and email, or you can leave a comment on the Metro Message line at (206) 684-1146. The deadline is Thursday, Feb. 12.

A similar public-input process is currently underway for changes in Delridge, White Center, Burien and surrounding neighborhoods. There are four more meeting dates scheduled for these areas, which can be viewed by clicking here, and a questionnaire is also posted online. Residents may also use the Metro Message line to leave comments. The deadline for feedback on these changes is Friday, Jan. 30.

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Elliott Bridge near Renton set to reopen

The King County Road Services Division will reopen the Elliott Bridge in time for the afternoon commute tomorrow (Thursday, January 22) at 3:30 p.m., well ahead of schedule. The bridge, on 149 th Avenue Southeast between Southeast Jones Road and State Route 169 (Maple Valley Highway), has been closed since January 2 nd for emergency repairs.

County bridge engineers closed the bridge for safety reasons after an in-depth inspection revealed severe corrosion to the main span. Engineers have since added more support to portions of the bridge span.

The Elliott Bridge was built in 1913 and is an important transportation link across the Cedar River. While the county plans to begin building a new bridge later this year, it was necessary to make necessary repairs to keep the current bridge open to traffic until a new structure is constructed.

The county is once again reminding motorists that a16-ton load-limit will remain in effect on the bridge. That means the bridge will be open to most vehicles with the exception of heavy trucks.

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Roadwork ahead

Here is a list of King County Department of Transportation projects that may disrupt traffic and travel this week:

Sammamish River Trail – The trail is closed where it crosses underneath Northeast 124^th Street north of Redmond near 60 Acres Park until Jan. 26, while crews work on widening the roadway above the trail.
Military Road, near Boulevard Park - The southbound lane of Military Road South will remain closed until early February between South 116th Street and South 120th Street in the Boulevard Park area. During the closure, crews will be installing sidewalks on the west side of Military Road. Southbound traffic can detour via 24th Avenue South.

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STOP — there's more...

Watch this video about KCIA! (real media)

Watch this video about KCIA! (windows media)

Pickup new bus timetables

Future proposed bus route changes

Elliott Bridge closed for emergency repairs

Roadwork ahead

DOT Dash
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