Mike Merritt

Mike Merritt is a former writer and editor for local newspapers. He recently retired as senior executive policy advisor for the Port of Seattle.

Hard to Replace: Sea-Tac Airport Loses a Respected Leader

As travel increases, airport managers must referee the heated competition among airlines for more space, even as they pressure the airport to keep costs low.

An Unusually Painful Process: City Council Votes For SoDo Housing

It was a surprising defeat for the Port of Seattle and its longshore union allies, who had turned back housing and commercial development there for about 20 years, as well as stopping Hansen’s basketball arena project.

The Port of Seattle Versus SoDo Housing: It’s a Fight

As the bill nears final action, all sides are accusing the others of bad faith and broken promises.

Proposed New SoDo Housing Revives Vigorous Pushback from the Port

City Council President Sara Nelson’s proposal would permit about 1,000 housing units just south of T-Mobile Park on two blocks within the special stadium district, reviving an old debate

Seattle’s Port Faces a Cargo Slump

The amount of shipping through the Seattle harbor has slipped far behind Tacoma, which had been roughly equal in past years.

Fixing Sea-Tac: Much-Needed Airport Expansion is a Long Way Off

Growing passenger demand, regulatory reviews, and local objections make expansion of Sea-Tac airport a challenge for the Port of Seattle

What’s Next for County Executive Dow Constantine?

Constantine’s decision not to seek a fifth term was widely anticipated. The big questions were when he would announce, and what career options he will pursue once he leaves office.  We know the when, but his next steps are not clear.

Washington State’s Robust $11 Billion Trade Economy in Peril with Trump Return

“Our biggest trading partner is China, and Asia in general,’’ said Seattle Port Commissioner Sam Cho. Raising trade barriers “is going to hurt our (container) volumes without a doubt.”

The Long Dock Strike That Wasn’t–For Now

Shipping disruptions during the pandemic showed that global logistics systems are tightly intertwined. Slowdowns in one region can quickly ripple through the supply chains. 

A Revised History of the Port of Seattle: Change as Mantra

“A new era was dawning In the 1970s that would at once challenge the Port of Seattle to reinvent itself yet again and cause the people of Seattle to reimagine their beloved town and begin planning for its rapid emergence as a truly world-class city,” write the authors.

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