A new control tower was built beginning in 2001 and opened November 2004 , at a cost of $ 26 million . The floor of the new tower 's control cab is above ground level ; the tower 's overall height including antennas is . The cab has of space and was designed to support operation by ten controllers , with possible future expansion up to 15 . The site and construction method of the tower were designed to maximize visibility and efficacy of radar systems . The airport 's original control tower , built in the 1950s , is now located in the airport 's passenger terminal and used as a ramp control tower , after being repaired from damages caused by the Nisqually earthquake in 2001
Nisqually earthquake
2001 Nisqually earthquake
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport