Rotary Club of SODO will be hosting King County Prosecuting Attorney, Dan Satterberg, at their Friday, December 4, 2009 meeting. Community members are welcome to attend. Lunch is catered by Mezza Cafe and is $10.

SODO Rotary meets Fridays at noon, Starbucks Center-3rd Floor Nisqually Conference Room-2401 Utah S, Seattle, 98134 (corner of 1st S & S Lander). There is 2-hour free parking in the lot in front of the Starbucks Center building main entrance. Rotary club members are business and professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace.

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Spotlight on Washington Aerospace Companies


Primus International, Bellevue, www.primusint.com

Primus International is a globally-focused integrator of metallic parts, composites, control rods, and assemblies for the commercial aerospace industry. The company corporate headquarters in Bellevue and three in-state divisions in Auburn, Bothell, and Woodinville employ more than 500 employees.

Primus' customers include the leading Prime and Tier I OEMs around the world. At the 2009 Paris Air Show, Primus announced it had won a long-term contract from Airbus to produce passenger doors for the A330/A340 family of aircraft. The doors will be assembled in Auburn, using parts from Primus' manufacturing facilities in Washington, Oklahoma, and China. Primus has been notified of selection for a large structure contract on the new Airbus A350 aircraft. Primus recently announced it has also been awarded an Airbus long-term contract to produce A321 Emergency Exit Doors.

Source: Washington State Quarterly Aerospace Bulletin, November 2009

Washington State Creates European Aerodesk

In July 2009, the Department of Commerce enhanced its presence in Europe with the creation of the Washington State Aerodesk. The Aerodesk's primary objectives are to help Washington State companies find additional business opportunities in Europe and to promote Washington State as a location for European companies looking to set up overseas facilities. The Aerodesk will strengthen Washington's current network of contacts in the European market with particular focus on the main aerospace clusters in Germany, UK and France.

Business Opportunities for Washington Manufacturers

The Aerodesk's network of in-market consultants and industry contacts will identify opportunities in the European aerospace market for Washington state companies. In addition, the Aerodesk will carry out partner searches for individual WA companies requesting assistance to identify B2B and joint venture opportunities, sales channels, and sales representatives. Washington companies should contact Bill King at bill.king@commerce.wa.gov or Troy DeFrank at troy.defrank@commerce.wa.gov in Commerce's Seattle Office to learn more about taking advantage of the program's services.

Source: Washington State Quarterly Aerospace Bulletin, November 2009

Design Change Proposed for South End Project

WSDOT is evaluating a proposed change to the S. Holgate Street to S. King Street Viaduct Replacement Project that would replace the below-grade crossing of the BNSF railroad tracks at S. Atlantic Street with an above-grade crossing at the same location.

The above-grade crossing is being evaluated as a way to make a more efficient connection between Alaskan Way S. and East Marginal Way S., while still providing a grade-separated crossing for freight and other east-west traffic traveling between the container terminals, railroad yards, and freeways.

Preliminary design and analysis show that this option will provide the same function at a reduced cost, with fewer impacts during construction, and would take less time to construct. A description of the change is available on the project Web site.

This proposed change is not expected to affect the start of major south end construction in spring 2010. We are conducting an environmental review of the proposal before making the final decision to move forward with it.

No New Settlement Found During Semiannual Viaduct Inspection

Inspectors reported that they found no additional settlement and no new structural damage during the Oct. 24-25 inspection of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

While no new damage was found, the viaduct is still seismically vulnerable and must be replaced. Until the aging structure is removed, WSDOT crews will continue visual inspections every three months and full inspections every six months to check for any changes in its condition and to keep it safe for traffic. The next full inspection closure will be held in spring 2010.

Inspection results can be found on WSDOT Web site.

Guard Rail Repairs on Ballard Bridge Southbound
Wednesday through Friday, December 2 – 4, the right curb lane will be closed each day on the Ballard Bridge in Seattle southbound between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. During the lane closures, a Seattle Department of Transportation crew will make repairs to the guard rail on the south approach to the bridge in addition to other maintenance work. Motorists should expect slowing and use caution past the work zone.