P.O. Box 1209 
Item No.: 8j_Attach 
Seattle, WA 98111-1209
Meeting Date: December 14, 2021
Tel: 787-3000 
www.portseattle.org
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN APPROACH 
WORLD TRADE CENTER WEST (WTCW) ROOF REPLACEMENT 
PURPOSE
This serves as a summary document for the sustainable design coordination for the World Trade
Center West (WTCW) Roof Replacement project. Additional information can be found in Project
Management's Notebook.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN APPROACH
The WTCW Roof Replacement project has been identified as a Tier 2 project under the Sustainable
Evaluation Framework Policy Directive (SEF Policy Directive) adopted by the Port of Seattle
Commission in January 2020. Tier 2 projects are described as:
Tier 2: Medium-sized, or more complex, projects that have opportunities for sustainability benefit
would be subject to targeted sustainability analyses and strategies. Tier 2 projects may receive a
cost per ton of carbon calculation.
The scope of the project is to replace the existing ballasted roof on top of the 20,600 square foot
WTCW building.







Figure 1. WTCW Roof Replacement Project 
Page 1 of 3

Following the project kickoff meeting, the Project Manager and Sustainability Coordinator assembled
a Sustainable Project Assessment and Review Collaboration (SPARC) team The SPARC team
leverages port expertise and knowledge of existing and emerging sustainability practices to:
(1) Identify, review, brainstorm, and recommend sustainability concepts and ideas for project and
operational teams to consider and evaluate during the development and design stage of port projects.
(2) Encourage project and operational teams to evaluate and consider innovative strategies to reduce
emissions and energy use beyond traditional approaches.
(3) Select and apply the relevant Sustainable Evaluation Framework criteria to highlight tradeoffs
and benefits during development of the Sustainable Design Approach (SDA).
PROJECT GOALS
The SPARC team met in August 2021 to solidify project goals which were shared with the designer to
identify potential design alternatives/strategies moving into the 30% design process.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Health
o Reduce heat island effect within the urban core
o Explore opportunities to reduce the building's and construction project's carbon
footprint (ie, buy local, material reuse, recycled content, energy efficiency)
o Explore solar and Green Roof Technology
o Utilize construction best management practices
Sustainable Asset Management
o Maximize total cost of ownership
o Consider ease and frequency of maintenance
Materials
o Reuse materials if possible
o Consider environmentally-friendly alternative materials
o Reduce waste
Financial Sustainability
o Balance project cost and function against environmental benefits
Impacts to Tenant
o Ensure a safe project
o Improve tenant comfort
o Minimize tenant and visitor disruptions
SUSTAINABLE EVALUATION FRAMEWORK CRITERIA
The goals identified by the SPARC team support four of the seven criteria articulated in the SEF
Policy Directive:
Reduce GHG Emissions/Protect Health and the Environment. This project focuses on the
replacement and upgrade of existing infrastructure while limiting environmental impacts. Goals
focus on materials, reduction of carbon footprint, and construction best management practices.
The project will explore the incorporation of solar and green technologies. 
Page 2 of 3

Increase Resilience. The proposed improvements will upgrade the existing roof, limiting
future damage to the existing structure and upgrading the roof to meet current code
requirements.
Advance Innovation. This project will explore the option of installing a green roof, which has
not been utilized by the Port before. 

THIRD PARTY CERTIFICATION
The SDA is required to include a recommendation as to whether a project should pursue an applicable
third-party sustainability certification (such as LEED or Envision.) Staff does not recommend
pursuing certification for this project since it only includes roof replacement. However, it is pursuing
green design options.
NEXT STEPS
SPARC recommendations within this SDA will be presented to commission along with the request for
authorization for design funds. The Project Manager and Sustainability Coordinator will continue to
work with the SPARC team to develop a Draft Sustainable Design Strategy (SDS) that defines
alternatives to meet the goals that are included herein. The Draft SDS will be presented to the
Sustainability, Energy, Air, and Climate (SEAC) Committee to present sustainable design elements
that are incorporated in 30 percent design.
The SEF Policy Directive requires that the project team evaluate and quantify the sustainability costs 
and benefits of the SDA. This will be completed iteratively as the design progresses, making sure to
coordinate with the project sponsor as appropriate. The SDS and analyses will be finalized as design
progresses. Any significant changes to design will be brought to the attention of the SEAC Committee. 
The Final SDS will be included in the Commission authorization request for construction funding for
the project.








Page 3 of 3