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| Tay Yoshitani |
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In many parts of the country it's commonly said that there are just two real seasons: Winter and Construction. With the Bay Area's mild climate that may not be strictly true, but Spring will see the start of Oakland's largest public works project this year, the improvements of Terminal Two at Oakland International Airport. In February the Board of Port Commissioners awarded Turner Construction the funds for this project, and sub-contracts for the work are being assigned now. The Port's Local Business Utilization (LBU) policies and the Maritime-Aviation Project Labor Agreement (MAPLA) will ensure a significant number of local jobs. The Port's Social Responsibility and Engineering Divisions will be closely monitoring this process, and will report regularly to the Board of Port Commissioners on the progress of this vital project.
While business remains good with all three of the Port's Revenue Divisions, (Maritime, Aviation, and Commercial Real Estate), financial challenges remain to be resolved in order for the Port to achieve a balanced operating budget. Port staff continue to tighten our belts, cut costs, and increase efficiency. This will be an ongoing effort. We will continue with our capital improvement projects to ensure that the Port provides the necessary Maritime and Aviation capacity to meet the Bay Area's needs. We also remain committed to providing economic vitality, social equity, and environmental responsibility for our community.
On a final note, and on behalf of the Board of Port Commissioners and Port staff, I would like to thank Sandre Swanson, Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, for his tireless years of service to Oakland, California, and the nation. Over the years we have worked together on many important projects, including the transition of the Fleet Industrial Supply Center from military to commercial use, the -50 foot dredging project, and the transfer of the Oakland Army Base. Mr. Swanson will be retiring in the near future. His wisdom and energy has provided an invaluable contribution to moving our region forward and helping to maintain the Bay Area as a major leader in both the economic and political arenas.
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