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International, LLC Achieves Official LEED Certification Status for the First Time on Two Airport Dining Locations

Tuesday, November 7th, 2023

SEA Airport's Central Terminal dining and retail partners Salty’s at the SEA, a local favorite, and BrewTop Social, a Concessions International LLC (CI) proprietary brand, have achieved the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. The locations are the first tenant project at SEA Airport to achieve LEED certification. 
 
"During our 40+ year history, we have been committed to using sustainable practices as we build out our food and beverage locations, however, this is the first time we have officially submitted a LEED application for a project," said Donata Russell Ross, CEO, Concessions International (CI). "I'm so proud of the team's hard work in ensuring our eligibility, and we celebrate our first with Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) Airport by being their first LEED certified retail tenants." 

Salty’s at the SEA and BrewTop Social, managed by Seattle Food Partners, LLC (a partnership between Atlanta-based Concessions International, LLC (CI), Grove Bay Hospitality, and Seattle-based Well-Buttered Bread, LLC) were created as part of the $21.8 million renovation of the Central Terminal to elevate the customer experience with more dining options, seating, charging stations, and ADA accessibility improvements.  

"We always strive for cleaner construction – looking for better ways to construct and design so we don't harshly impact the environment," said Kathy Glynn, Director of Capital Projects for CI. "With Salty's at the SEA and BrewTop Social sharing the same footprint, we were able to maximize efficiencies in both spaces, creating two LEED certified restaurants. We want to not only build out successful and exciting concepts that customers enjoy, but we want to do so in a meaningful way that is also respectful of the environment -- that's additionally rewarding." 

In designing Salty’s at the SEA and BrewTop Social, the team, led by CI worked to create a sustainable design that focused on a space that uses as little energy as possible through conservation and efficiency. Key features to reach LEED certification include:  

  • Many of the finishes used are from sustainable sources.  
  • All LED lighting to reduce the amount of mercury brought into the building. 
  • Building materials were purchased with post and pre-consumer recycled content where possible. 
  • A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system free of CFC-based refrigerants to reduce stratospheric ozone depletion. 
  • A green cleaning policy to support good indoor air quality. 
  • A dedicated waste diversion program to keep waste from landfills through recycling. 
“We are grateful to CI for leading the LEED certification effort with their Salty’s at the SEA and BrewTop Social restaurant locations,” said Khalia Moore, Senior Manager of Dining and Retail, SEA Airport. “SEA's dining and retail program is proud to play a large role in supporting the Port of Seattle's environmental goals. This is a first for the program and we commend CI for completion of this goal.”