Word came from City Hall sources that the then mayor, Tom McEnery wanted a sports facility in downtown San Jose . The value of a sports arena was declared to bring increased visitors to downtown San Jose, which would increase tax revenues, encourage greater numbers of restaurant patrons and, best of all, propel the City of San Jose into the big leagues for a stellar national reputation.
As discussions progressed, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the preferred location for the sports facility was within walking distance of our neighborhood. With that location in mind there were many environmental impacts that needed attention and remediation. Primary among these were traffic, parking, access and security. Other critical environmental problems was the location: it was directly under the incoming flight path for planes approaching the San Jose International Airport; there were and are major underground utility lines; it is in close proximity to the Guadalupe Creek and the site included toxic contamination from previous uses of this previously zoned heavy industrial site.
