As the area’s largest employer, Boeing employees make up the largest block of commuters as well. If even five percent, three thousand employees, were able to walk to work, everyone in the county benefits from less congestion. If zoning was amended, employee parking lots surrounding factories in Everett, Kent, Renton and Boeing field could be replaced with apartment towers on garage bases.
Boeing can easily poll their workers to gauge demand. Apartments could be rentals, condos, or both. Boeing benefits from reduced lateness and absenteeism (hard to sneak off skiing when the boss lives down the hall) as well as a new revenue source. Since they already own the land, and zoning changes increase its value, Boeing shouldn’t even need tax breaks to make this work, but they will probably still ask.
Walking to work is a luxury few in Seattle have experienced and the new tenants would benefit even more than Boeing. Eliminating the stress of commuting and replacing it with leisure time also creates a better worker. Everyone else benefits from less congestion, pollution, and more open space not turned into subdivisions.
Obviously the larger the development, the more everyone benefits. Some might lament putting towers where none now exists, but low density is what leads to suburban sprawl consuming King County. And as any real estate agent in nyc will tell you, a view of a beautiful building increases propertu. Again zoning can compel builders to build attractive buildings. Imagine a tower evoking the classic age of aviation, it could be a symbol of Seattle during Monday Night Football providing free advertising for Boeing.
Ideally these tenants should not have to drive to buy milk or a latte after work. Retail should be a part of the development with apartments rented in tandem with the commercial lease so another commuter is eliminated. Building support staff should also be rented apartments so they can walk to work as well.
What works for Boeing would probably work for other employers, big and small. King County should consider zoning changes on a case by case basis for employee only restricted housing to eliminate as many commuters as possible whenever possible. Too much of too many childhood memories has been paved over in the county.
