Port of Oakland Board Approves Oakland International Airport’s $1.38 Billion Expansion Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Harold Jones
Title: Director of Communications
Phone: 510.627.1564
E-mail: hjones@portoakland.com

OAKLAND, Calif. (August 7, 2001) - The Port of Oakland's Board of Port Commissioners voted Tuesday, August 7, 2001, to approve a $1.38 billion budget for Oakland International Airport's Terminal Expansion (TEx) program. The board's approval of the terminal expansion concept now permits the project's management team to further develop the design in preparation for a planned fall 2002 construction groundbreaking.

The project includes a new two-level terminal complex with 12 additional aircraft gates, a central food, beverage and retail shopping area, streamlined rental car facilities, a 6,000-space multi-level automobile parking garage and a two-level terminal access roadway system. The expansion project has also been designed to accommodate the proposed Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail connector between the airport and Coliseum BART station.

"This expansion project will enable the Oakland International Airport to continue its role as a principal driver of our regional economy and keep pace with the ever-changing needs of the travelling public," said Commissioner Phillip Tagami, president of the seven-member board and chairman of its aviation committee. "Once completed it will serve as a wonderful, yet cost-conscious, gateway to Oakland and the entire Bay Area."

The Port of Oakland's expansion management team recently completed a "challenging, proactive and open planning process, which incorporated airline industry trends and advancing technology, consumer needs and demands, regulatory reviews and, most importantly, affordability," Tagami said.

Oakland International, which offers 195 daily non-stop domestic and international departures, maintains one of the nation's best on-time arrival/departure performance records. That statistical mark, coupled with its convenient location and user-friendly reputation, has helped fuel its 7.5 percent growth in passenger traffic in 2000. Passenger traffic has increased 14.7 percent during the first six months of this year, a rate that projects the airport handling more than 12 million passengers and more than 700,000 tons of air cargo in 2001.

The Board of Port Commissioners held more than 15 hours of public work sessions to thoroughly examine the Port staff's recommendations and to allow private citizens to provide input about the proposed program. Several additional public workshops were held in 2000 to solicit further input on the proposed airport's design and theme.

"A major objective, throughout this process, has been to plan and build an airport that is fiscally responsible," said Commissioner Frank Kiang, 1st vice president of the board. "We've sought and found a reasonable balance in planning a facility that is modern, dynamic, functional and affordable."

The $1.38 billion TEx budget will be financed through revenue municipal bonds, general Port of Oakland internal revenue and federal resources including passenger facility charge (PFC) and airport improvement program funds.

Commissioner Darlene Ayers-Johnson, 2nd vice president of the board, believes the project will further incorporate Oakland International Airport into the regional, national and international transportation network.

"We are excited about the expansion program's promise of capturing the beauty of our region and its diversity," she said. "The new airport terminal facility will incorporate significant amounts of art and other aesthetics that will be representative of the character and history of Oakland and our surrounding cities and regions."

Members of the Board of Port Commissioners are nominated by the mayor of Oakland and confirmed by the City Council. The Port Commissioners exercise exclusive control over the use of, and income from, the aviation division, including Oakland International Airport; the maritime division, which includes 7000 acres of marine terminals; and the real estate division, 600 acres of recreational, industrial and commercial land for sale or lease including the Jack London Square entertainment complex.