August 9, 2007

San Jose Airport to host neighborhood meetings

Airport announces parking changes

Over the next two months, San Jose and South Bay residents will have multiple opportunities in their neighborhoods to learn about the current project to rebuild Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) as a more convenient, comfortable and competitive airport for the people of Silicon Valley.

Airport staff will make presentations at a series of 11 community outreach meetings Aug. 13 through Sept. 13, providing an overview of the new airport, including the terminals, roadways and customer service enhancements scheduled for completion in 2010.

Those attending will also receive information about airport renovation projects that will affect users and travel tips to help ease customers through the airport during the construction period.

The $1.3 billion project now under construction will replace the current Terminal C with a new Terminal B; expand and enhance Terminal A for greater customer convenience; build a new rental car and public parking garage; and improve airport roadways and traffic circulation. Additional meetings are being scheduled in Sunnyvale and Cupertino, and for other cities, clubs and organizations by request. For more information, call (408) 501-0979.

Meeting locations, dates and times are:

- Tuesday, Aug. 14 from 7:15-8 p.m.
Evergreen Library
2635 Aborn Road, San Jose

- Monday, Aug. 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Willows Senior Center
2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose

- Thursday, Aug. 23 from 6-7 p.m.
Orchard Elementary
921 Fox Lane, San Jose

- Wednesday, Aug.29 from 6-7 p.m.
Tully Community Library
880 Tully Road, San Jose

- Thursday, Sept. 6 from 7-8 p.m.
Southside Community Center
5585 Cottle Road, San Jose

- Monday, Sept. 10 from 7-8 p.m.
Cambrian Library
1780 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose

New parking
The west entrance to the Terminal C short-term parking lot (closest to the Terminal C main lobby by the flag poles) closed July 31, to make way for improvements for ground transportation services across from the Terminal C baggage claim area.

Airport patrons now will be directed to the east entrance to the parking lot on Airport Boulevard, on the side closest to Highway 87.

On Aug. 1, the Blue Parking Lot used by news media vehicles also will close. The lot is south of the Terminal A garage, in front of the North concourse under construction. This closure is due to the construction of a new overpass on the terminal loop roadway. Unauthorized vehicles parked in the area will be cited and may be towed. Media vehicles can park in the Terminal C short-term lot or in the Terminal A garage.

Modification of roadways and parking areas at Mineta San Jose International Airport are part of the $1.3 billion terminal improvement program now underway. These changes will allow for construction of the new Terminal B that will replace Terminal C in 2010 and for the new rental car and public parking garage that will be built where the Terminal C short-term lot is now.

The next stages of work at Terminal C this summer include construction of a consolidated security checkpoint for greater passenger efficiency and relocation of airline ticket offices this fall.

About Mineta San Jose International Airport
Mineta San Jose International Airport, a self-supporting enterprise, is owned and operated by the city of San Jose. SJC serves 10.7 million passengers annually and handles more than 200 million pounds of air cargo. SJC has 189 flights a day on 13 domestic and international carriers to 29 nonstop destinations.

The airport annually generates more than $100 million in operating revenue, and contributes to an estimated $4 billion in direct business spending in the local community and 70,000 jobs in Silicon Valley.