Port of Oakland Holds Groundbreaking Celebration for OAK’s Terminal 2 Improvements

Port’s Largest Aviation Project in 77-Year History

Oakland, CA— Port of Oakland’s Board of Port Commissioners held a groundbreaking today to mark the beginning of construction of the five-gate extension and renovation of Oakland International Airport’s (OAK) Terminal 2. The Port of Oakland owns and operates Oakland International Airport. Port of Oakland, OAK and elected officials, along with community stakeholders and representatives of airport tenants and partners, celebrated the official launch of the $110 million Terminal 2 improvement project.

“We are very excited to get underway with the largest aviation project in the Port’s 77-year history,” said Port of Oakland Board President John Protopappas. “This project is expected to generate benefits for our region by bringing 4,000 new construction, aviation and other jobs to the area; $2 billion in annual business revenue; $600 million in personal income; and $76 million in additional annual state and local tax revenues."

The Terminal 2 project includes construction of a new concourse with five additional boarding gates and waiting areas; a modern, centralized food, beverage and retail shopping area; expanded ticketing, security and baggage claim facilities; and new utilities. These improvements, to be completed by fall 2006, will be administered by Turner Construction Company, the prime builder selected by the Port in February 2004.

The Terminal 2 improvement project is the first part of the Port’s overall $500 million Terminal Improvement Program that also includes a 6,000-space multi-level parking garage. The entire Terminal 2 Improvement Program will be completed in 2007.

The Port’s Executive Director Tay Yoshitani commented how fitting it was to celebrate this event on Earth Day considering the significant sustainability efforts incorporated into this project. “The Terminal 2 improvement project was designed using green building criteria* wherever possible, furthering the Port’s Sustainability Policy which has supported environmental responsibility since it was adopted in November 2000.”

“At the Port of Oakland we are committed to sustainability or what I call the triple bottom line – economic vitality, social equity and environmental responsibility,” added Yoshitani. An important component of social equity is the Port’s non-discrimination and small and local business utilization policy, which offers further opportunity for the community. “We have strengthened this policy by making it part of our Terminal Improvement Program.”

OAK’s existing terminals were originally designed for approximately eight million passengers annually. OAK served 13.5 million passengers in 2003, a year-over-year increase of 7.2 percent. Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Steve Grossman said, "Once these improvements are made, Oakland International Airport will continue to be the airport of convenience with easy access, additional parking and more comfortable surroundings."

Project funding for the Terminal Improvement Program is through Port operating revenues, commercial paper, and revenue bonds; Federal grants; and passenger facility charges.

OAK has over 200 flights a day on 11 domestic and international carriers to 38 nonstop destinations, including Atlanta, Boston (to begin May 4), the Hawaiian Islands, New York, Washington, D.C., and Mexico and seasonal service to the Azores (Portugal), Costa Rica and Sun Valley, Idaho. OAK consistently has the fewest weather-related flight delays in the Bay Area. Visit the airport’s web site at oaklandairport.com for more information.

The Port of Oakland is the fourth largest container port in the United States. Established in 1927, the Port oversees some 19 miles of waterfront, including Jack London Square, more than 900 acres of maritime terminal facilities and Oakland International Airport. Visit the Port’s web site at portofoakland.com for more information.

*Green building criteria have been incorporated into the design of the Terminal 2 extension and renovation project and the customer service building portion of the garage project, using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System as a framework for design and construction. The Port of Oakland plans to apply for LEED certification for both projects after construction is completed in 2007. The LEED criteria are synergistic with the Port’s adopted sustainability policy that is based on the values of environmental responsibility, economic vitality and social equity. OAK is among the first airports in the nation to seek LEED certification.

The LEED Green Building rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to provide a national standard for what defines a “green building.” Through its use as a design guideline and third-party certification tool, it aims to improve occupant well being, environmental performance and economic returns of buildings using established and innovative practices, standards and technologies. For more information on LEED certification and the U.S. Green Building Council, visit usgbc.org.