SEA Gateway Project

Status: Completed

The Puget Sound region has grown 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 provided 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 was 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 added 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 included adding efficient, new check-in kiosks and bag drop locations as well as office space to offset what was demolished in the final stage. At the Baggage Claim Level, new connections were made to the optimized Baggage Handling System along with associated modifications and new finishes to the ceilings. Building systems also got upgrades to meet the newer technology and facility standards. 

PHASE B:

The most dramatic upgrade travelers noticed occurred in Phase B. This phase reconfigured and opened up the passenger throughput on the Ticketing Level, making the Alaska Airlines check-in process quicker and smoother. It also included the demolition of existing areas to enhance and really open up the Ticketing Level and the area above Alaska Ticketing and reconfigured 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 also got a major makeover, using all six lanes, with a possibility in the future for a seventh lane, and added 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. Some of these projects included 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 lead the project as a tenant improvement with design and construction which gets reimbursed by the Port. The design build team for the project was HOK/Hensel-Phelps. As the main tenant for the area, Alaska’s design expertise helped mitigate impacts to employees and flyers during the three-year construction process. The partnership allowed the airport to focus its efforts on more than 150 other construction projects in varying stages of design, permitting, and construction, including other future phases of the main terminal modernization project.

Community Benefits

Alaska Airlines spearheaded the major design and construction on this project and had 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 added a handful of new art pieces to the already bustling public art program at the Port. 

• "Cosmic" by Jennifer Steinkamp, north end of the Alaska Ticketing Lobby overhead on digital display
• “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” by Sarah More, Ticketing Level baggage enclosure
• “Horizon” by Barry Johnson, Ticketing Level baggage enclosure
• Photography by Spike Mafford and Nikita Mehta, Ticketing Level pre-security restrooms by Checkpoint 6
• “Rain Shadow” by Soo Sunny Park, Concourse Level post-security in recompose area once through Checkpoint 6
• Glass wall art by Morgan Madison, Bridge Level between Skybridge 4 and Skybridge 6
• “Raindrops on Roses” and “Souvenirs” by Julie Alpert, Baggage Claim Level by Bag Claim 13 and 16
• “Jonah” by Matthew Szösz, Bridge Level by Skybridge 5

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 cost is about $546 million.

The Port will reimburse Alaska for reasonable costs for work that would otherwise be done by the Port.