complex in both the design and the construction. the tower will fit seamlessly into our recently renovated terminal to, and are soon to be renovated terminal one. the construction job will bring hundreds of jobs for construction workers, engineers, architects as well. we are excited about the job creation aspect as well. we are excited the project will allow us to work side-by-side with our partners, the most seismically sound and technologically advanced air traffic control tower in the world. i would like to know introduced the secretary of transportation to give a broader perspective on this project as it relates to infrastructure as a whole. it is my great pleasure to introduce the secretary of the

department of transportation. mr. secretary. >> good morning, thank you all for being here. special thanks to michael, who you will hear from in just a minute, our outstanding acting faa administrator, had to our very good friend, someone we think so much of, your outstanding mayor, thank you for being here. it is great to be in san francisco, which is no stranger to the power of thinking big and building big. 75 years ago, our forebears' built one of the most iconic symbols of america's vision. the golden gate bridge. it celebrated 75 years strong amidst the struggle of the great depression and in the face of fierce opposition. it would have been too easy to give up and abandon the project,

but they did not do that. they listened to the naysayers, and they also listened to those that wanted to move forward. and those are people that had big ideas about building a bridge that expands over 4,000 feet. 20 billion cars across the bridge since it opened in 1937. it reminds us that infrastructure investment is the greatest gift we leave to the next generation. what we are celebrating on the site is the next generation, and michael will talk about this, of technology for guiding planes safely in and out of this airport. the this will be the next- generation tower for the next generation. that is what we leave. that is what we do. that is what leaders do. they think about the next generation. this critical infrastructure

will create hundreds of good paying jobs. that is the part i really like, particularly for those in the construction vests. they and their colleagues will be the ones that will benefit in terms of the jobs that will be provided. ho wanted to be here today to really congratulate all those that have provided the leadership for this. it contributes $1.30 trillion in total economic activity and accounts for 5.3% of the total of the supports over 10 million jobs. that is what these kinds of construction projects really create. the president signed a transportation bill last friday at the white house. the two-year bill, and in large measure, thanks to the leadership of people from your congressional delegation.

i want to single out senator boxer. she was the chair of the committee, the environmental committee, the e. p. w. committee that led the way in making sure that our country had a big blue print, a plan for transportation. without senator boxer's leadership, this bill would never have been silent. we are grateful to senator boxer for her leadership and getting us a two-year bill, a blueprint on the big picture ahead that really allows us to put our friends and neighbors to work in construction jobs. but the celebration today about this announcement is important because it really does take us to the next generation of technology. when this tower is open, as michael will tell you, it will have the next-generation

technology for guiding planes in and out of this airport and guiding people on those planes in the safest possible way. i am delighted to be here for the community, those that serve on the board and leadership positions to say thank you for what you're doing with the people of this area. and to modernize this great airports of people can fly safely in and out of san francisco. thank you for including me today. >> it is my great pleasure to introduce the acting administrator, a longtime friend andrea leader delivering on successful partnerships not only with the control towers. also working on delay reduction as well. welcome the administrator, michael huerta.

>> it is great to be back in san francisco. it was 105 degrees in washington and i can't tell you how great it was to land and hear that it was 55 degrees in san francisco. it is great to be back and i am happy to see job and my good friend, merely. i am so proud the faa is joining with this partnership on the construction of a new air traffic control tower. the faa is contributing $70 million to of effort that will create an estimated 600 jobs, including 400 construction jobs. while it creates needed jobs here today at the airport, it is also a down payment on the bay area's future. i want to affirm what you would just a second ago. this new tower is an extremely important economic investment in the structure of this region.

we support 10 million jobs across the country and over 1 million of those jobs are right here in california. and 89 billion jobs of frayed trade moves through the state by air. when aviation succeeds, the economy succeeded in california succeeds. san francisco has always been america's gateway to asia. it is interesting that san francisco is the only american city that has a chinese name? old gold mountain, san francisco. severances go has always been a destination and a gateway to asia. it is an enormously popular destination for visitors from all around the world. managing air traffic at this airport is a challenge because of the tight environment. this is actually a very small

facility, but they move a lot of traffic through this airport and they moved it very well. we have a lot of airports in the bay area, and we have the power very he weather conditions, one of the great joys of living in the bay area. in partnership with this airport, we have done a great job in getting flights safely in and out of your -- out of here. first, the tower is going to be built according to the strictest modern seismic standards, which is important in the bay area. it will include several green creatures like solar panels, recycled materials, reflective roofing. it will provide air traffic controllers with an unobstructed 360 degree airfield view along with the most up-to-date safety

equipment for managing air traffic control. the new tower is one of many efforts the faa is making in san francisco. i want to recognize the western pacific regional administrator that has invested a lot personally, and has done tremendous work on numerous aviation projects right here in the region have right here at this airport. you are supporting an effort to enhance runway safety areas. and as the faa transitions to the satellite based air traffic system, we will have better solutions for the tough problems here like whether related delays and limitations that have occurred because of the short and enclosed space that characterize this airport. as a result, it will have a suite of new tools for this region and many other

metropolitan areas across the country. it is a great day in san francisco, this will be of great power when we move into it, and i look forward to having a first-class facility. thank you very much, and thank you. >> thank you, michael. al, my great pleasure to introduce a great leader from san francisco and a great supporter of this airport, mayor lee. >> it is my pleasure to join secretary has and acting administrator as well as our own john martin, the director of the airport to celebrate the groundbreaking. if you know this and you are a student of air control or air traffic, you should know that the first quarter of this year, we had almost 11% increase in

passenger travel. compared to last year's same quarter. if you compare ourselves to the other 12 airports around the country, for the last 12 months, we are leading the pack with a 5.6 increase in passenger travel. it is critical to not only san francisco, to the bay area and all of our neighbors around the region, i would argue the whole area of northern california to have a safe and successfully operating airport. like any infrastructure, i want to let you know that i wore my lucky guy. this is the tide of the golden gate bridge. it is one that i will proudly wear every time we have a major announcement for infrastructure efforts that we have. and certainly, secretary, with

you, you head up agencies that are so critical to the infrastructure of our whole transportation system in the country. whenever you come here, i enjoy these announcements because it is another reflection of the investment we are making, the investment the airport commission, the staff, the director, all of the partners we have investing in generations to come of the transportation systems that we need to make sure the economic and regional recovery continues. that economic success for generations continues as well. we raised the bar with this newly designed air traffic control tower. it is a win-win situation. it will obviously create the jobs that the administrator has signaled for the men and women in construction. in fact, it will not only be

technologically advanced, but one of the inside jokes i have with the airport staff, we're finally going to get a tower were the elevators go all the way to the talks. -- to the top. it will be the iconic design, and in fact, i was one of the olympic torch runners in san francisco for the beijing olympics, as your call. i want to talk to john before he wrote his article about this to see the similarities of the torch, but it is a beautiful design. it also accomplishes at the very basic function of a higher level seismic safety and technological advancements. if i may say, as a great player to all of our federal partners,

senators feinstein and boxer, leader pelosi and all of our partners and congressmen, we're working hard to make sure that we take our investments and make sure that we implement those programs for future generations. this is what being a mayor, we are grateful to be able to do. federal agencies, transportation, and if you look at how our money that we had, if you consider the department of transportation funding for the transit center for the central subway, the latest announcements about the high-speed rail commitments, we are doing the kinds of things with federal agencies that will spell out what our future needs. it will make generations of people appreciate not only san francisco, but all of our bay

area partners together to make sure the investments are right. it is about investing in our future, i am very grateful to not only partners here today, but i am excited to get this thing rolling. let's start digging as soon as we can and get our folks to work. i know they will enjoy at, and i look forward to being here in the fall of 2014. i know there is a europe where the faa has to make sure everything is safe, but i look forward to that fall when we can travel to the top and make sure that the elevator goes all the way. thank you very much. >> i want to also recognize the team members on this project, the construction team, project managers, architects, engineers, the finance staff

involved in getting this project together. they may work for 15 different organizations, but they are working seamlessly as one team, and that is why this project is ultimately going to be very successful. before we have the formal groundbreaking, i would like to open it up for questions from the media. any questions? how is the new tower going to be different from what we have now? >> it will be 50 feet taller and it will provide a 360 degree view. it will be a larger cap outfitted with modern avionics. we will be using it to control air traffic and we will provide an unobstructed view of the airfield, which is extremely important. it will be fitted with new safety technology that we are introducing at the airport and will result in a much more

efficient system, a much more efficient use as well as being a green facility. >> for air travelers, the whole reason we are making investments in technology as we are planning for the future growth of aviation. we need to be able to handle more traffic, more efficiently, without delay. using advanced procedures that reducing fuel burn, cost, and noise. what that translates to is that you have a much higher likelihood of getting to your destination on time. >> i'm sorry? one of the things we are very focused on in san francisco is doing everything we can through technology that will enable us who have the equivalent of a beautiful sunny day weather conditions and we can handle

traffic in all weather. that's what these investments are all about. >> [inaudible] >> aviation operates under a concept of sense and avoid. you want to be sure that pilots and other users, everyone operating in the environment has good situational awareness of everything that is going on. in addition to dealing with traffic in the air, you have to be sensitive to what is going on the on the ground. it is a complex operating environment and nothing substitutes for being right there when dealing with a complex facility like san francisco.

>> hello, my name is jamie harper. in this episode, we are featuring the park locations in your very own backyard. this is your chance to find your heart in san francisco with someone special.

golden gate park's largest body of water is this lake, a popular spot for strolling and paddling around in boats, which can be rented. created in 1893, it was designed foreboding and -- for boating. it is named for the wild strawberries that once flores. a pleasant trail follows the perimeter past huntington falls, 110 foot waterfall. two bridges connect the trail to the island. the climb to the hills summit, the highest point in golden gate park at more than four hundred feet. you can get quinces of the western side of the city through -- glimpes of the western side of city through a

thick trees. the lake is ada accessible. it has a peaceful atmosphere where you can enjoy a warm day. walk along the lake and watched many ducks, and swans, and seagulls. it is a tranquil spot to stroll, enjoy each other's company, and sail away. many couples come here to take a ride around the lake, floating under the bridges, past the pavilion and waterfall. for a quiet getaway, it makes for a memorable and magical experience. located on 19th avenue, this grove is the place to wear your hiking boots, bring your family, and bring the dog because it has so much to offer

you and your loved ones. it is a truly hidden gem in the city. the part is rich with eucalyptus trees. long paths allow you to meander, perfect for dog walking in a wooded environment. >> i enjoy this base and the history behind it. the diversity that exists in such an urban city, the concrete, the streets, cars, we have this oasis of a natural environment. it reminds us of what san francisco initially was. >> this is a section for dogs and plenty of parking. transit is available to get you there easily. and the part is ada -- park is ada accessible. there is also a natural lake.

this is your chance to stroll and let the kids run free. it also has many birds to watch. it is the place to find some solitude from the city and appreciate what you share with a wonderful breath of fresh air. , an experienced this park and enjoy the peoples, picnics, and sunshine. this is a lovely place to take a stroll with your loved one hand in hand. located in the middle of pacific heights on top of a hill, lafayette park offers a great square a of a peaceful beauty. large trees border greenery. it features tables and benches, a playground, restaurants, and tennis courts. there are plenty of areas for football, frisbee, and picnics. it is very much a couple's part

and there are a multitude of experiences you can have together. bring your dog and watch the mean go with the community or just picnic at one of the many tables and enjoy all of the park has to offer. many couples find this is the perfect place to put down a blanket and soak up the sun. it is a majestic place you can share with someone you cherish. it is located along the 1 and 10 buses and is accessed from the 47 and 90 buses. it is ada accessible. for more information about reserving one of these locations, call 831-5500. this number is best for special events, weddings, picnics, and the county fair building. for any athletic fields and neighborhood parks, 831-5510.

you can also write us. or walking in and say hello at old lock cabin, golden gate park. and of course you can find more information and reach us at sfrecpark.org.