Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce history

Seattle IllustratedThe Seattle Metropolitan Chamber officially incorporated on March 3, 1890, for a term of 50 years.

Brainerd's strategy was to promote Seattle as the departure point for gold seekers.Brainerd joined forces with the Post-Intelligencer to produce a special Klondike edition on October 13, 1897.

Chamber members raised the money to purchase the land for Fort Lawton, now Discovery Park, and in 1898, turned the title over to the United States Army for 703 acres.

It was originally scheduled to open in 1907, recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush.

The Chamber was also deeply involved with the development of the Port of Seattle from 1911, when the first commissioners were charged with creating a publicly owned port.When war broke out across Europe, wartime shipping and shipbuilding propelled growth at the port.

The Chamber heralded this development with a headline in the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Record encouraging members to "Rejoice with Alaska."In 1913, the Chamber also conducted an Annual Trade Excursion to Northwest and Eastern Washington.

Chamber plays major part in new airportIn January 1941, with Boeing Field overcrowded, the Chamber's Aviation Committee conceived the idea of another major airport and started considering possible sites.

The following year, the Chamber supported the Port of Seattle as the local government sponsor of the new airport.Then in 1946, the Chamber actively campaigned for a $3 million bond for a new administration building and terminal, replacing a Quonset hut that served as the passenger terminal.

Graham explained that the "new funding will at last allow the completion of I-90 and the entire interstate system during the next 10 years." I-90 had been a Chamber objective since it was first proposed in 1957.

The fair brought together representatives of major businesses and prioritized the recruitment of minorities by local businesses.Building a world-class cityThe Chamber began efforts in 1964 to obtain a major league baseball franchise in Seattle.

By 1966, the Chamber was also working to attract a professional football league franchise and finance a multi-purpose domed sports stadium.The Chamber also supported the Forward Thrust bond measures and helped establish a citizens' planning committee.

In a 1968 election, voters approved seven propositions worth $333.9 million by the required 60 percent, including a $40 million multi-purpose stadium (the Kingdome) and $118 million for new parks.

After that, the committee actively solicited reciprocal trade missions in Seattle.Expediting completion of I-90In 1978, the Chamber formed the I-90 Task Force to resolve legal issues and expedite construction of an expanded I-90 freeway.

The Chamber continued monitoring I-90's completion, instituting annual tours in 1983 to provide a firsthand view of the progress.

In 1995, PIPE merged with the Seattle Alliance for Education and the Seattle Schools' Fund for Excellence to form the Alliance for Education.

In 2005, the Chamber formed the Transportation Partnership - a coalition of business, labor, local government and environmental representatives from around the state - who advocated for a comprehensive solution to Seattle’s transportation challenges.