San Jose Considers Private Airport Terminal For Traveling Sports Teams
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) - City officials were considering an plan to build a private terminal at Mineta San Jose International airport dedicated solely to the Sharks, Earthquakes and other traveling athletic teams - including, one day, the San Francisco 49ers.
Mineta San Jose has 44 acres of unused property on its west side and some local leaders think this is a good way to make use of that land.
"One of the ideas that people have floated is the idea that maybe we need a special terminal just for professional sports teams because we have a lot of teams in the area who are traveling in and out of the area and they need some special care and treatment," explained Mayor Chuck Reed.
The athletes wouldn't be the only ones to benefit, proponents reason. Reed explained that the primary goal of a sports terminal would be to raise revenue for the airport.
"Whether or not there's enough of a market to justify it remains to be seen," Reed added.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
The idea was being floated because the San Jose City Council has solicited proposals for use of the airport's vacant property.
"That will come back to a council committee in May and then will be publicly available in the summer," Reed explained.
If the plan is adopted, it's believed it would be the only airport terminal in the country dedicated specifically to traveling professional athletes.
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