Port, college agree on land donation

Gift of land promotes new industrial-training center

A gift of land from the Port of Seattle to South Seattle Community College will allow the college to expand its opportunities for job training and apprenticeships at the Duwamish Industrial Training Center on East Marginal Way.

"This gift is an important asset for the future of the center's apprenticeship training programs," said SSCC President Jill Wakefield.

The Port agreed to deed to the college a small portion of land near the Duwamish River that is surrounded by land already owned by SSCC. The college had been leasing the land for about two years. It is valued at about $65,000.

Clear ownership of the portion will allow SSCC to fully develop its Duwamish Apprenticeship & Training Center, which houses the state's largest apprenticeship training program, representing more than 20 different trades. Currently, one in three apprentices in Washington State receives training at SSCC's Duwamish campus. The new parcel gives the college a "footprint" that will allow construction of new and expanded facilities for the Painters and Allied Trades, Wakefield said.

The gift will also support development of the Puget Sound Industrial Excellence Center, which focuses on manufacturing employment and training, especially for low-income adults, and special services for small businesses.