King County International Airport (Boeing Field), known as the "birthplace of modern aviation," marked its 75^th anniversary last week with the grand re-opening of its historic terminal building.

"In 1928, when voters were asked to approve $500,000 dollars to build the airport, a resounding 86 percent of the voters said ‘yes, build it,’" said Ron Sims, King County Executive. "The airport has proven over the years to be a great public investment and an important economic catalyst."

When the airport opened in 1928, more than 50,000 people attended the dedication ceremony. The crowd last week was a bit smaller, but did feature four aviation veterans. The four – Elmer Hansen, Glen Jones, Bob Ellis and Clayton Scott – each shared their memories of Boeing Field over the years. Some of them were even there for the original dedication ceremony 75 years ago and for the opening of the terminal in the 1930s.

It is now the oldest passenger terminal in the Puget Sound area and serves regional commercial airlines and passengers, along with charter flights and private pilots. The new terminal includes upgrades for Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Immigration, as well as energy, seismic and fire safety improvements.

Today, the airport is home base to more than 150 businesses, including commercial airlines, airfreight companies, aircraft service and repair, flight schools, charter operations and helicopter services. The airport is also home for hundreds of small aircraft owners who rent hanger space and tie downs for recreational and business purposes.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, King County International Airport’s total operations rank it among the Top 30 busiest airports in the country, with approximately 300,000 takeoffs and landings annually. The National Air Transportation Association has named the airport "One of the 100 Most Needed Airports" in the United States. The airport is also a designated point of entry for U.S. Customs, Immigration, Public Health and Agriculture.

Metro is looking at ways to improve bus service in the Rainier Valley/Broadway corridor in Central Seattle, and along the Ambaum/Delridge corridor in Southwest Seattle and suburban communities to the south. The overall goals include: increasing transit travel times and schedule reliability; adjusting service to meet changing passenger demands; improving neighborhood connections to major corridors; and upgrading bus stop facilities where possible.

The forms for the Rainier/Valley Broadway corridor must be returned by Friday, Oct. 10. The comments for the Delridge/Ambaum corridor must be returned by Friday, Oct. 24. The public meetings begin Oct. 7.

The popular auction — hosted by the Department of Transportation’s Fleet Administration Division — will be held at 3005 NE 4th Street, near the Renton Technical College. A preview for the auction will be held Thursday and Friday, Oct. 2 and 3, at the auction site from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

Preview information is also available online, along with driving directions and auction terms.

Originally, the water taxi was scheduled to shut down for the winter at the end of September. But, operational costs were slightly lower than anticipated for the 2003 sailing season, so Metro has decided to put the savings into a partial sailing schedule through Friday, Nov. 28. Fares remain the same.

The current summer schedule will be in effect through Sunday, Oct. 5. Then starting on Oct. 6, the fall schedule will operate Monday through Friday during morning and afternoon peak hours only.

The free shuttles will operate on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5, from the following park-and-ride lots: Northgate; South Bellevue; and South Renton. The shuttles are non-stop and operate every half hour approximately from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

This Saturday, Oct. 4, MEHVA will be rolling on its "Night Trolley Tour," a three-hour tour of Seattle's distinctive and varied nightlife neighborhoods; Pioneer Square; Broadway; lower Queen Anne; and the University District. The trackless trolleys depart at 6:30 p.m.

Then on Sunday, October 26, it’s a "Fall Foliage Tour" through the Cascade foothills along the quiet back roads of east King County when the autumn leaves are turning color. Stops for photos and lunch. Buses depart at 11 a.m.

All trips will depart from 2nd Ave. South and South Main Street, across from the Seattle Fire Department Headquarters. Fares are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and over) and $4 for children (2-11). Metro transfers, tickets, or passes are not accepted. And, no food or beverages will be permitted onboard the historic buses. For more information, call (206) 684-1816.