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Field Of Weeds At Former SJ Landfill Could Become Recreational Center

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - A landfill site in San Jose that's been vacant for more than 30 years could become the field of dreams for amateur baseball and softball players now that a developer has expressed interest in building on the site.

The city has given Hopkins Real Estate Group a green light to develop a proposal for an amateur sports complex with some retail development on a 90-acre site just south of Capitol Expressway and US Highway 101.

"The property has not been doing much except growing weeds for a long time," said Mayor Chuck Reed.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Field of Weeds At Former San Jose Landfill Could Become Field of Dreams

Construction at the Singleton Landfill would be paid for with funds from a special tax passed by San Jose voters more than ten years ago to generate money for recreational facilities.

"Included in that, almost last on the list, is a place for ball fields, baseball and softball," Reed said, noting that existing baseball, softball and soccer fields are often completely booked.

"We don't have enough fields for all of our kids to play or all of our adults to play, so we're trying to meet some of that demand with funds that were specially approved by the taxpayers to do that."

For several years the city has been trying to bring professional baseball to town by luring the Oakland A's south. Early last year, the city broke ground on a soccer stadium for the San Jose Earthquakes.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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