Reid-Hillview Airport To Receive No More Federal Grant Funds

SAN JOSE, CA -- The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to possibly consolidate the 80-year-old Reid-Hillview Airport with the nearby San Martin Airport, taking a step toward its ultimate closure.

Federal Aviation Administration restrictions currently prevent the airport land from being repurposed for the next 12 years.

Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to no longer accept new FAA grants for the airport, which could have secured its operation for another 20 years. San Martin will move forward with a $1 million grant approved by supervisors for a repavement project.

"I don't think it's wise to accept another federal grant to improve Reid-Hillview and tie up the land for aviation use only in perpetuity," Supervisor Dave Cortese said in a news release.

The county will now engage in a community engagement process to discuss consolidating the two small airports, neither of which have daily scheduled domestic or international flights. The county will also communicate with San Jose State University to move its aviation program to San Martin. The program began in 1936 before the onset of World War II and moved to Reid-Hillview in 2011.
Supervisors received significant input about the airport's possible closure during the meeting.

The airport is currently used for private airplanes and small nonprofits, like free emergency service provider Angel Flight. Some felt a sentimental attachment to the location, but many
residents felt the niche usage could be transformed to help those struggling with a housing crisis.

About 100 residents submitted a signed petition to close the airport.

--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock