SEA Gateway Project

Status: In Progress

The Puget Sound region is growing dramatically, and this is reflected in the passenger volumes seen at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and the continued efforts to enhance the traveler experience. The SEA Gateway Project provides another opportunity with plans to reconfigure the 40-year-old terminal north end ticketing area, expand the security checkpoint and create an updated, light-filled, open space facilitating new technology and building standards to help passengers move quickly and easily through the terminal. 

The project is being undertaken by the Port of Seattle in partnership with Alaska Airlines to bring a modern, fresh look to the front door of the airport and optimize the experience for travelers from check-in to ticketing, security screening to baggage claim!

Project Overview

PHASE A:
This first phase will add approximately 24,500 square feet of employee office and ticket counter space along undeveloped areas on the Bridge Level, in between skybridges and the Ticketing and Baggage Claim levels. 
 
It will include efficient, new check-in kiosk and bag drop locations as well as office space to offset what will be demolished in the final stage. At the Baggage Claim Level, new connections will be made to the optimized Baggage Handling System along with associated modifications and new finishes to the ceilings. Building systems will undergo upgrades to meet the newer technology and facility standards. 

PHASE B:
The most dramatic upgrade travelers will notice occurs in Phase B. This phase is reconfiguring and opening up the passenger throughput on the Ticketing Level, making the Alaska Airlines check-in process quicker and smoother. It also includes the demolition of existing areas to enhance and really open up the Ticketing Level and the area above Alaska Ticketing and reconfiguring the northern-most Mezzanine Level with modern open spaces, filled with natural light and evoking the warmth of the Pacific Northwest.

The TSA Security Checkpoint 6 at the far north end is also getting a major makeover, using all six lanes, with a possibility in the future for a seventh lane, and adding in a recompose area after screening and overhead art sculpture.  

VISION FOR THE FUTURE:
The long-term renovation of the main terminal will continue to improve the facility to the south with a variety of projects in the future. These projects include the relocation of Checkpoint 1 to the south on the Baggage Claim Level as well as renovations within the center ticketing area. Many of the mechanical, smoke control, fire suppression, and architectural updates will also be incorporated into future designs.

Partnership

Alaska Airlines will lead the project as a tenant improvement with design and construction, which will be reimbursed by the Port. They have chosen the design build team of HOK/Hensel-Phelps. As the main tenant for the area, Alaska’s design expertise will help mitigate impacts to employees and flyers during the three-year construction project. The partnership allows the airport to focus its efforts on more than 150 other construction projects currently in varying stages of design, permitting, and construction, including other future phases of the main terminal modernization project.

Community Benefits

Alaska Airlines is spearheading the major design and construction on this project and has a 20% small business and WMBE goal for the work which is in line with the Port’s standards of Diversity in Contracting. 

Art

This project is adding a handful of new art pieces to the already bustling public art program at the Port. From the moment you walk through the Alaska Ticketing Lobby doors from Departures Drive, you will get met by a 60-foot long digital art piece by Jennifer Steinkamp called, "Cosmos." As you walk down towards the corridor to security, you will also pass by two baggage enclosures with art pieces by Sarah More and Barry Johnson, More's a mosaic tile design, and Johnson's a cast metal wrap. If using the redesigned restrooms before going through the new Checkpoint 6, you will be greeted by art in the restrooms by Spike Mafford and Nikita Mehta. When you go through security screening at Checkpoint 6, overhead will be a beautiful suspended piece called "Rain Shadow" by Soo Sunny Park. If you used Alaska's Bridge Level check-in, you might have passed by Morgan Madison's vibrant glass wall, adding vibrant colors to the window wall representing the pacific northwest. When you return to Seattle and go through Bag Claim, watch out for two pop-up walls by Julie Alpert, mixing design and color high up by Bag Claims 13 and 16. Take the escalators up at Skybridge 5 and notice Matthew Szosz's suspended sculpture and articulated wall with prismatic-like shapes. 

Just another capital project using 1% of its budget to add class and style to SEA's growing public art gallery!

Timeline

Estimated Project Costs

Total project estimate is about $546 million.

The Port will reimburse Alaska for reasonable costs for work that would otherwise be done by the Port. The final cost split will be negotiated as the project progresses.