PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      7b 
STAFF BRIEFING 
Date of Meeting     August 23, 2016 
DATE:    August 16, 2016 
TO:     Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Mike McLaughlin, Director, Cruise and Maritime Operations 
Melinda Miller, Director, Portfolio & Asset Management, Economic Dev. 
SUBJECT:  Pier 66 Facility Exterior and Interior Modernization 
SYNOPSIS 
This briefing will introduce a program focused on keeping the Port's image along the
Seattle waterfront strong while also maintaining the high standard of performance and
reputation the Pier 66 facility has garnered over the last two decades in successfully
serving multiple maritime and economic development business interests. 
There has been expressed interest from the Port commission and senior management to
consider improvements to the building faade along with specific requests from the Port's
conference and event center manager to update the interior. Collectively this presents an
opportunity to modernize Pier 66. In response to these requests, staff has completed some
preliminary conceptual ideas, rough order magnitude level of investment needed for the
program and consideration of a phasing schedule that would best align with all the great
things happening on Seattle's waterfront.
BACKGROUND 
In the early 1990s, a visionary Port Commission implemented a plan to revitalize the
central waterfront. They stepped up when public and private plans for redevelopment had
failed. Several piers, including Pier 66, which was the former location of the Port of
Seattle Headquarters, were in a state of decay and obsolescence. 
The Central Waterfront Development Project succeeded in revitalizing and bringing
much needed development to the waterfront and surrounding areas. Bell Street Pier, the
waterside part of this project, opened in 1995 and included a transit shed (future cruise
terminal), international conference center, marina, public plaza and roof deck, working
apron, and various retail and office uses. The project received national and international
design awards for its thoughtful design celebrating the working waterfront and was
honored by the City of Seattle with Bell Street Pier Day in 1995. 
In the late 90s the cruise terminal was expanded to accommodate the Port's first
homeport cruise line, Norwegian Cruise Line. 

Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 16, 2016 
Page 2 of 4 
The recent 15-year agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line and the related improvements 
they are making to expand the cruise facility will significantly alter and elevate the
operation of the facility for cruise. Furthermore, we use the cruise facilities for
conferences and events all year-round when a vessel is not in port, so it is important to
add certain elements and upgrades that make them function effectively. 
The positive impact of this project on Seattle's central waterfront, both economically and
architecturally, cannot be overstated and it is a community asset that deserves ongoing
attention and support. The facility has served the Port well over the last 20 years but time
has taken its toll, operating needs have evolved, and the adjacent neighborhood is
changing. As the seawall and viaduct projects are completed and the Alaskan Way Street
improvement plans move forward, it is worthy of consideration to bring the facility up to
the standards of the proposed improvements. 
PIER 66 MODERNIZATION PROJECT OBJECTIVES 
The project's main value lies in enhancing the Port's overall mission and standing,
protecting the significant investment already made by the Port, and meeting the evolving
market demands. Opportunities to generate new revenue to reduce the tax levy obligation 
required by this project will be explored in the design development phase of the project.
Value can also be garnered by enhancing the environmental footprint of the terminal,
enhancing the entire Alaska Way waterfront experience for citizens of Seattle and King
County and tourists, and improving the functionality of the facility for both cruise and
conferences.  The preliminary estimate for the interior and exterior improvements
identified to date, at zero percent design, is in the range of $18 million to $21 million. 
Exterior Faade Improvements: This part of the project must to be sensitive to the
community in response to architecture, history, and access. 
The work completed in preparing to bring this proposed program forward for
consideration, included development of multiple concept sketches of possible building
faade treatments. The intent of the initial exercise, which involved review and feedback
from commissioners and executive team, was to create a number of ideas to start the
creative design process and prepare order of magnitude cost estimates. In review of
several faade design alternatives, ranging from minimal to the "Cadillac" version, three
of the design concepts stood out as favorites. With estimates between $5 and $20 million,
one concept became the preferred approach for a possible faade refresh, at a cost around
$13 million.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 16, 2016 
Page 3 of 4 
From the feedback received a list of priority project elements was identified for a faade
re-design to be studied and proposed: 
Environmental enhancements 
Solar panel power generation 
Landscape improvements 
Efficiency enhancements 
Identities 
Signage 
Functional enhancements 
Canopies 
Entrances 
Public enhancements to promote tourism 
Plaza for public gatherings, etc. 
Future building maintenance costs 
Interior: When Bell Harbor International Conference Center opened in 1995, it was
considered state-of-the-art in technology and layout. It was one of the few stand-alone
conference centers not attached to a hotel and its location on the newly developed central
waterfront was a unique marketing plus. The facility has been well maintained over the
years through a Furniture, Fixture and Equipment (FF&E) fund of 3% of gross revenue
that was established at the outset. This allowed Columbia Hospitality, our manager, to
pay for the day-to-day requirements and minor upgrades to keep the facility fresh and
operating properly. The conference and event industry has to come to the point that the
market for premier, high-quality conference and events has evolved dramatically - 
technology and flexibility are paramount. 
The focus of the interior part of the project will be to modernize Bell Harbor International
Conference Center itself and to add elements and upgrades to the newly expanded cruise
terminal spaces to make them function more effectively as event spaces. The preliminary
estimate for interior improvements identified to date is in the range of $5-$8 million. 
Modernization is critical to protect the significant investment already made by the Port
and to generate new revenue for the future. To do this our facility must remain
competitive and relevant and respond to the evolving market realities and demands which
include: 
demand for high-level technology and audio-visual infrastructure 
more flexible and collaborative event spaces 
expanded networking spaces and work stations adjacent to event spaces 
a fresh, modern look to furnishings and finishes

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
August 16, 2016 
Page 4 of 4 
The following are elements to be studied and proposed: 
Conference Center (Third Floor) 
Add additional rentable area where possible and create more flexible, adaptable
and customizable space - visually, audibly, and physically. This may include
moveable glass walls and flexible spaces to take advantage of the water views and
create larger pre-function areas. 
Refresh the facility so it feels more current but respects its history and established
aesthetic 
Celebrate key iconic elements of the original landmark design concept ("working
waterfront") 
Future-proof the technology & audio visual infrastructure investments to support
emerging platforms which enable and enhance connectivity, interactivity, and
productivity (currently that means video, Skype, and hybrid meetings) 
Consider and evaluate energy efficiency opportunities, for example LED lighting,
energy rebates, etc. 
Cruise Terminal Spaces (First and Second Floors): 
Enhance design continuity, accessibility, wayfinding and flow between cruise
terminal spaces and the conference center. 
Add elements (blackout shades, zoned and dimmable LED lighting, ADA ramp,
moveable walls) that allow for effective use for conferences and events. 
NEXT STEPS 
Staff will  return to Commission to request authorization for funding for design
development and environmental review to move this program forward. 
Two briefings on Seattle's Waterfront are in planning for the October to November
timeframe. 
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ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
Computer slide presentation. 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
None.