PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 

COMMISSION AGENDA                   Item No.         5a 
Date of Meeting       April 6, 2010 
DATE:      March 3, 2010 
TO:         Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:     James R. Schone, Director, Aviation Business Development 
D. Jess Qunell, Property Manager, Aviation Properties 
SUBJECT:  Federal Aviation Administration Lease for a Real Property, Lease Number
DTFANM-10-L-00062 
ACTION REQUESTED: 
Request for authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to execute a twenty (20) year no cost
Lease Agreement between the Port of Seattle and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Airport). 
SYNOPSIS: 
The Runway Status Light (RWSL) system is a fully automatic, advisory safety system designed
to reduce the number and severity of runway incursions and thus prevent runway accidents while
not interfering with airport operations. The FAA has requested to lease the lighting vault room 
MT3151R and associated Open Storage Space (351 and 480 square feet respectively, see
drawing located on final page of Exhibit A) to support this system. The lighting vault is located
in the Main Terminal on the Bridge Level. There are no costs or rent associated with this lease. 
BACKGROUND: 
The RWSL system is relatively new to the Airport. The FAA provided grant funding to enable
Runway Status Lights to be installed in pavement at certain taxiway crossings of runway
16L/34R when it was re-built in 2009. This project to install control systems for the lights is a
FAA project and is currently in the construction phase and targeted to be activated in February
2012. Its purpose is to enhance situational awareness of aircraft on the airfield. Studies of this
system at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) have shown that it can greatly decrease
the number of runway incursions at an airport. The RWSL system used on the DFW test runway
resulted in a 70% decrease in runway incursions during a 58 month test period. 
The RWSL system takes information from the airport's ground surveillance radar and detects the
motion and velocity of two or more aircraft approaching the runway. When an unsafe condition
exists, the system will activate the Runway Entrance Lights (REL) and the Takeoff Hold Lights

COMMISSION AGENDA 
T. Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
March 3, 2010 
Page 2 of 3 

(THL). The REL and THL are in pavement light fixtures that are directly visible to pilots and
surface vehicle operators. The lights will flash, warning the pilots of an unsafe condition. 
SCOPE OF AGREEMENT: 
Term:       Effective January 28, 2010, and continuing through September 30, 2030.
Can be terminated by either party by giving at least sixty (60) days notice. 
Note:  Effective date coincides with the date the FAA drafted the Agreement. 
This does not have a financial impact. 
Options:      None. 
Use:          Electronic lighting vault in support of airfield safety system. 
Rent:         None. 
Note:         "Small Lease for a Real Property" is a FAA-provided lease document form. 
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES: 
This Agreement supports the Port's strategy to "Ensure Airport Vitality" by facilitating the
journey of millions of passengers through the Airport in a safer and more efficient manner. The
RWSL system is intended to reduce runway incursions, thereby reducing the risk of damage to
person or property and reducing the risk of disruptions to air travel. 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: 
The FAA will not pay the Port of Seattle any monetary consideration; it is mutually agreed that
the rights extended to the FAA herein are in consideration of the obligations assumed by the
FAA in its establishment, operation and maintenance of navigational aid facilities upon the
premises. This is typical of other FAA leases. 
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY/COMMUNITY BENEFITS: 
Through this lease, the FAA will be reusing an existing lighting vault facility that was previously
occupied by the Port and is currently vacant. Through utilizing some existing infrastructure, it
will decrease the amount of construction required to complete the project.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
T. Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer 
March 3, 2010 
Page 3 of 3 

TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE SUMMARY: 
The activation of the RWSL and the use of the Lighting Vault will help to enhance operations at
the Airport. The region will receive the overall benefit of having an airport with a new system
that provides for an additional layer of runway safety. There have been no adverse
environmental, economic, financial or community impacts identified as a result of leasing the
Lighting Vault to the FAA. 
PROJECT SCHEDULE: 
The FAA will be given permission to officially occupy the space after the execution of the
Lease. 
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED/RECOMMENDED ACTION: 
Alternative 1: Proceed with the approval of the Lease Agreement as structured. The Port and
the FAA believe that this is the best location to place and house the electronic equipment needed
to support the RWSL system. This is the recommended alternative. 
Alternative 2: Reject the Lease Agreement and require the FAA to place the equipment in a 
new equipment shelter located on the airfield. If this alternative is selected, the FAA will need to
redesign and rebuild sections of their RWSL at a greater overall cost. This alternative is not
recommended. 
ATTACHMENTS: 
Exhibit A  FAA Small Lease for Real Property, Lease Number DTFANM-10L-00062. 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTION: 
On February 26, 2008, the Commision authorized the expenditure of $2,000,000 to initiate
design development for the reconstruction, and to design and construct Taxiway P modifications
to support the reconstruction of runway 16L/34R by the end of 2009 (CIP C800167). 
On October 28, 2008, the Commision authorized the expenditure of $83,000,000 for the
reconstruction of runway 16L/34R at Seattle-Tacom International Airport.