Photo credit: sfchronicle.com

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s held a press conference today to announce their plans for a new ballpark to be located at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square. A’s fans have been waiting a long time for the announcement, and they are hoping that this project will come to fruition. Fremont, San Jose, and Laney College all rejected the A’s proposal for a new stadium. The A’s think they have their ducks in a row this time. When the plan for the stadium at Laney fell through last year, A’s officials had egg all over their collective faces. They promised to make an announcement by the end of 2018 and today they made good on the promise.

The A’s plan to build a privately-financed 34,000 seat stadium. Seats will be closer to home plate, and a lot of the extra foul territory will o longer exist. It will be a better deal for the fans as it will more intimate. It will be better for the hitters as foul balls will no longer be caught for outs. It may not be better for pitchers as the hitters will now get extra opportunities to hit. Not to worry fans, the park won’t be ready until 2023. The A’s will need more parking, for sure. They are planning to build an aerial gondola that can transport 6000 people to the park. They will need additional shuttles from the Bart stations in West Oakland and 12th street downtown.

The A’s are embarking on a 120-day action plan. 1) They are gathering additional feedback. 2) They will begin the environmental review process at Howard Terminal. 3) They will negotiate an agreement with the Port of Oakland. 4) They will develop a framework with public officials regarding development plans for the Oakland Coliseum site. 5) They will create a framework for economic and community benefits agreement.

The A’s plan to develop the Coliseum into a general community center. They will keep Oracle Arena intact and will use it for concerts and other events. They plan new affordable housing as well as offices, retail, restaurants, and other public spaces to help revitalize the neighborhood. The A’s have offered to buy the Coliseum Complex from the city and county, but have not yet received an answer.

It is an ambitious plan for the future for both the A’s and the city of Oakland. Everyone involved is hoping the ballpark will be built.