The Port of Seattle has lost its focus, said candidate for Port Commissioner Richard Berkowitz. He charged that the Port is focusing far too much on real estate and biotechnology, instead of maritime industry related functions.

"They (the Port of Seattle) are working from a business plan," he said. "They have a public purpose and responsibility- to move passengers and freight, no where does it say that land should be used for office buildings, high-rise condos, or any other use not port specific."

Berkowitz, a first time candidate for Port Commissioner, believes he is the right person to put the Port of Seattle back on course; a course that he said involves what should be the Port's primary mission- "supporting the marine and maritime industries."

"Bio-tech doesn't need a marine view," he said. "You can build an office building anywhere."

His primary focus as Port Commissioner would be to maximize its economic utility by maintaining and enhancing its capacity to foster trade, he said. And by doing so, the city can sustain and create jobs that bring an average of $70,000 a year.

Right now the Port Commission is divided, said Berkowitz, with two members against the biotech focus and three for it.

"That balance will change with me as Port Commissioner," he said.

Berkowitz is currently director of Pacific Coast operations for the Transportation Institute, a trade association. He said that his background in both the marine and labor industries make him highly qualified to serve as Port Commissioner.

"I am uniquely qualified for this role at the Port of Seattle having worked in the labor movement, in the public sector as a legislative policy analyst, and in my current employment in the private sector," he said.

In his current position with Pacific Coast, Berkowitz has worked to create more than 100 jobs for displaced fishermen who have lost their jobs due to rationalization in the fishing industry. The number of commercial fishing boats has been severely limited with new fish catch limits and many have lost long-time positions with the industry. Berkowitz said he has helped to get these people additional training making it possible for them to move on to other maritime positions.

He hopes he could continue this assistance as Port Commissioner through the Port's job placement program.

"This is what makes me different from my opponents," he said. "I have an extensive background with the industry, maritime labor, and public policy. I believe I can work with both sides and come up with solutions to benefit both working folks and the community."

Berkowitz said he worries that the Port has plans to turn Terminal 91 into non-maritime facility. Currently, Terminal 91 is a multi-use facility, used for break-bulk and non-container cargo. Berkowitz said the Port is discussing using the terminal for housing more warehouses, which Berkowitz argues would severely limit its usability.

"The first thing I would do as Port Commissioner is find a marine and industry related tenant for Terminal 91," he said, adding that pier space should not be taken up with warehouses.

"You can put a warehouse anywhere," he said. "My belief is that maritime and industrial space should be used just for that because it is so limited here, and you can't replicate it."

There has also been discussion among the Port Commission to use the space for office buildings or condos, said Berkowitz, but he believes the Port can make money by using the space for traditional purposes, especially with expected tripling in containerships due to an increase in Asia and China trade, he said.

But if our piers and docks are littered with condos and office buildings, there won't be any room to take advantage of the increased business, he said.

He also charged the commission with spending too much money on extravagant buildings; none of which have made them any money, he said.

"The Port needs to focus on one goal, not create a new division for real estate, big office buildings and a biotech paradise," said Berkowitz.

He also disapproved of the Port's decision to spend $10 million on expansion of the waterfront trolley. He questioned why the Port would use levy funds for a trolley with uncertain rider ship that will probably never make them any money, he said.

"They shouldn't be frivolous with Port dollars," he said. "The commission should focus on moving passengers and freight and getting the best out of each levy dollar, which I haven't seen happen yet. The focus has instead been on extravagance."

Another vital issue for the Port, and to many Seattle residents and businesses, is the future of the Alaska Way Viaduct.

"One of my opponents supports putting a Band-Aid on it, but that is just a short term solution and that is not good enough," he said. "I'm in it for the long-term fix and I want to see a fix that works economically and for our safety."

Berkowitz is in favor of rebuilding or replacing the viaduct now. It is too important to truck and rail routes to ignore until it is too late, he said.

"The viaduct provides a vital north south arterial that is used by more than 100,000 motorists a day," said Berkowitz. "We can't wait for further damage by an earthquake. We need to move now."

Many in the maritime industry believe that the future of the business rests largely on government decisions and priorities of council and the mayor.

"Hopefully the mayor will say no to rezoning these areas and keep the industry focused on maritime," said Berkowitz.

He said the jury is still out on the Mayor Greg Nickels with regard to his support of the maritime industry here.

"But he's been better than I anticipated with acknowledging the maritime industry in Seattle," Berkowitz added, noting plan's like the mayor's Action Agenda for Manufacturing and Maritime Sectors, which was implemented to address concerns of the industrial communities in Seattle.

Confidence is gaining for Berkowitz in terms of campaign dollars raised. He said he has come out slightly ahead of his opponents.

"I feel confident that when I am out there campaigning I can articulate what the real issues are, and not just pander," he said.