A Lousy Time to Build a Great Airport?
Over the past few years, we've watched this building go up ... as the economy has gone south.
View GalleryA Lousy Time to Build a Great Airport?
An airport in the heart of Silicon Valley gets a brand-new terminal. Check out what $1.3 billion gets you these days. Over the past few years, we've watched this building go up ... as the economy has gone south. We couldn't help but wonder: isn't now a lousy time to build a new terminal ... even a really cool one? Not surpirsingly, the folks at Mineta San Jose International don't think so. They think now is the perfect time for their $1.3 billion expansion and modernization project. Here's their logic: first, passenger load is so low right now, they have fewer passengers to inconvenience with their construction. Second, the downturn in the construction industry means they have more leverage with contractors to strike better deals and keep costs down. Finally, airport officials say this will put them in a perfect position to handle the increase in passengers once the economy improves. And here's what those passengers have to look forward to. The North Concourse is a 1,500-foot-long terminal The 380,000-square-foot space is lit (mostly) by natural light. Wood paneling runs the length of terminal adding warmth to the interior. Dozens of new concessions will line one wall of the new terminal (a pint of Guiness at Britannia Arms, anyone?). Floor-to-ceiling windows give a view of the entire airfield from the other wall. One section of the new terminal (five gates serving Southwest Airlines) will open to the public next month. The entire North Concourse (twelve gates in all) will be completed sometime next summer. That's about the same time the new, seven-story, concrete parking garage will be finished. Some have complained this structure obscures the view of the new terminal for drivers on Highway 87. Aiport officials say they had nowhere else to put it. The also say, however, work will soon begin on a massive, mosaic which will cover the entire facade. All of it can't come a moment too soon for those who believe San Jose International has been in need of a facelift for some time.
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