The Port of Seattle Commission held a joint work session with the Seattle City Council this morning to discuss several issues crucial to the economic and environmental health of the region.  The meeting, held at City Hall, was the first joint meeting between the two groups since 2004.  

The groups considered ways to partner on key issues for the region, such as transportation infrastructure, freight mobility, environmentally sustainable business practices, and industrial land use.  In addition, commissioners provided an overview of Port developments, including growth of the cruise industry and the pending return of Terminal 30 to container use in 2009.

The Port and the City of Seattle partner on many issues, and effective partnership depends on effective communication," said Commission President John Creighton.  "As we look toward key decisions such as the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, it is even more crucial that the Port works closely with elected officials at the City, King County, and other agencies throughout the region to find solutions that promote economic growth and benefit everyone."

Commissioners and council members also discussed the competitive threats facing the Port of Seattle:  Newly developed facilities at Prince Rupert in Canada and an expanded Panama Canal could pull cargo away from the Pacific Northwest - and with that cargo, some of the more than 200,000 jobs that Port activities generate.  Both groups pledged to work together to increase Seattle's position as a global gateway for trade, bringing goods in for markets across the nation and sending Washington products out to the world.

The Port Commission will hold a second joint meeting with the Port of Tacoma Commission in October.  The two ports held their first-ever joint meeting earlier this year, in April.