39 AirportImprovement.com September 2026 TERMINALS SEA BBQ and Wanderlust, creating an experience that feels distinctly Seattle rather than interchangeable with any other airport. For the architectural team, the Marketplace became an extension of the building’s overall design concept, which invites guests to linger. Some travelers settle on the Grand Stair beneath the Tree at C, using them as stadium-style seating. Others grab coffee or browse local retailers. And, much to the project team’s delight, many passengers head to the third-floor observation deck called the Lookout at C to watch aircraft arrive and depart. “That very first morning, there was somebody who found it and was taking a little nap up there before their flight,” Whealan says. “It almost feels like your backyard—people are lounging, it’s very casual, and that’s been a bit of a surprise for me. It’s satisfying to see how that space is being used.” Welcome to the Big Leagues One inspirational aspect of the Marketplace is the SEA Sparks Incubator Program, which gives small and micro-businesses an opportunity to test their concepts in one of the region’s busiest public spaces. “The Port of Seattle has 21 spaces in totality for the SEA Sparks program,” Moore shares, “but C Concourse was our largest singular launch with six locations opening as a part of this project.” Unlike other concessionaires operating under traditional lease agreements, program participants don’t pay any rent. Instead, each business pays 10% of the gross monthly sales it generates operating out of a Port- owned kiosk. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on running their businesses rather than financing permanent buildouts and supporting the overhead of typical airport lease rates. Many businesses in the Sparks Incubator Program are making the leap to SEA from farmers’ markets, online stores or neighborhood shops. “We work with them directly to provide resources,” Moore says. Key support includes mentoring from established airport concessionaires who provide insights and feedback. Watching those businesses open was one of Moore’s favorite moments of the entire project. “Our grand reveal was a really big achievement for us,” she says. “For so many Day One rarely goes exactly as planned. With no room for surprises, every set of eyes matters—even those of our unofficial field team. The real work, however, starts much earlier. Chrysalis identifies readiness gaps early, aligns every workstream, and prepares people, processes, systems, and spaces for a seamless opening. From planning through activation, we bring the expertise needed to turn a shared vision into a fully operational reality. lilah operational Readiness Lead No balls dropped. She’s got a nose for loose ends. chrysalisglobal.com sales@chrysalisglobal.com linkedin.com/company/ chrysalis-consulting-llc @chrysalisglobalconsulting I n t r o d u c i n g C h r y s a l i s ’ UNO F F I C I A L F I E L D T E A M The pets behind our people. Blueberry punch list coordinator Outside-the-box thinking. Inside-the-box testing. irk & karan early bird alert team A bird’s-eye view of readiness - before issues take flight. It takes every paw, wing, and whisker to make opening day work. Chrysalis knows how to bring it all together. ORAT · PROCESS OPTIMIZATION · RELOCATION · TRIALS AND SIMULATIONS ALL PAWS FOR DAY ONE ON DECK An outdoor observation deck provides views of the airfield and nearby mountains.
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