Port of Seattle - Current Issues

Current Issues

Recent years have brought significant changes to the Port of Seattle. In 2007, Tay Yoshitani joined the organization as CEO. Just after his tenure began, two significant scandals occurred. The port police department uncovered a significant problem with racist and pornographic emails. After the hiring of a new chief, the organization began to regain its footing, only to be thrust in the spotlight again by former CEO Mic Dinsmore, who claimed a sizable severance had been authorized by the commission. The organization refused to pay and the claim was dropped, though the situation led to an attempted recall of one commissioner.

Finally, in December of that year, the State Auditor's Office issued a critical report on the port's contracting practices (particularly those related to construction of the third runway). The audit report sparked an investigation by the Department of Justice, which was later closed without action.

Newly elected commissioners and CEO Yoshitani implemented a series of reforms, including increased commission oversight of port construction projects and consolidation of the organization's procurement activities into one division to afford better control.

Yoshitani also brought a heightened commitment to environmental practices. The port has many environmental programs, including shore power for cruise ships and a plan to clean up the Lower Duwamish Waterway (in partnership with Boeing, King County, and the City of Seattle).

But increased container and cruise traffic have increased community concerns, just as the new runway did.

In 2012, port commissioners began outreach on the Century Agenda, a strategic plan for the port's next 25 years.

In 2012, the Port became one of the most vocal opponents of the proposal to build a new arena in the Sodo neighborhood.