Port of Seattle Commissioner John Creighton quickly ticked off a list of recent developments during the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 14.

In his annual “State of the Port” address, delivered at Jack Block Park in West Seattle, Creighton focused on issues of most interest in the area.

Chamber chair Paul Prentice said Creighton was the right man for the job.

“John was elected in 2006 and has served in pretty much every role since then,” Prentice said.

This is the second year Creighton has delivered the address – and he noted that keeping small business owners aware of Port activities is a high priority.

“Our relationship with small business is just as important as our relationship with big business,” he said.

He began his presentation by announcing the commission’s unanimous decision to support Sound Transit 3.

“We look at transportation as a system,” he said. “The more we can get people out of their cars and into transit, the better for freight mobility . . . It’s a really important investment for our region, and it’s a really important investment for West Seattle.”

Creighton also commented on the Port’s new memorandum of understanding with the City of Seattle.

He explained that in the past the Port was focused on developing its own holdings. “The port spent money developing property within our fence line,” he said.

Now the Port is eager to help with public projects, he noted. “The city still had a funding gap,” he said. “We decided to step up.”

On Aug. 16, the Port of Seattle and City of Seattle signed an agreement to launch the “Safe and Swift Corridor Program,” which will improve the efficiency and safety of several key transportation corridors around the city.

As part of the agreement, the Port of Seattle will contribute an additional $10 million to the Lander Project, bringing its financial contribution to a $15 million total.

The program will also focus on improvements to East Marginal Way, 15th Avenue West, Elliott Avenue West and Mercer Street corridors.

In addition, Creighton discussed improvements to Terminal 5, 2701 26th Ave SW, which the Northwest Seaport Alliance is working to put back in motion.

“It’s a prime asset,” Creighton said. “We’re fully intent on moving forward with it.”

He said that the terminal’s 180-acre size, connection to rail, proximity to interstates and location on the water will set it up for success.

He added that the Port is still talking with potential tenants – and is also working on constructing a quiet rail zone at the site.

In addition, Creighton discussed the Port’s interest in environmental stewardship – from endorsing the use of biofuels to building stormwater infrastructure.

He said the Port is committed to a “post carbon economy.”

“We really feel that the airport can play a leadership role in aviation biofuels,” he said.

Creighton explained that the Port constructed its own stormwater utility, saving millions of dollars that could be instead invested in infrastructure.

The Port also recently invested $6.5 million into a project that calls for the removal of 2,000 creosote treated pilings from Terminal 5.

Chamber members asked Creighton questions, ranging from how the Port could help contain freight traffic to what his position was on having ships plug into electric power lines.

In all areas, Creighton stressed the Port’s desire to be a “good neighbor” and to work towards a more sustainable future.

For more information about the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, visit www.wschamber.com.

For more information about the Port of Seattle, visit www.portseattle.org.