A look at Howard Terminal in downtown Oakland the site of the proposed Oakland A’s ballpark which would seat some 35,000 fans. The park would come with retail stores, residential units, commercial space, hotel rooms and public access open space. (photo by Noah Berger and the San Francisco Chronicle 2018)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 This week the First District Court of Appeals ruled that the Oakland A’s Howard Terminal project met sufficient standards in a City of Oakland review that said the A’s have met limits to water and pollution requirement at the downtown Jack London Square site as ruled by Judge Brad Seligman.

#2 The issue of off shore winds that wind hazards needs to be reduced as it effects the ball park according to the court ruling. The council voted with Judge Seligman 3-0 on the wind measure. The A’s and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao are working on a plan to reduce the wind hazards.

#3 The outcome of the Court of Appeals ruling sits favorably for the A’s and can be considered a big step towards building a new ball park at Howard Terminal. The Court rejected the claims by the plaintiffs saying that the A’s did not meet the standards on air quality, pollution controls, and traffic in regards to environmental standards. This is a similar type ruling that helped the NBA Sacramento Kings move in the direction to build Golden 1 Center.

#4 Mayor Thao who is on board with the project and said the city intends to upgrade the infrastructure and that the city and the A’s are one step closer to getting the project done after two previous court rulings in their favor. Further Thao plans to meet with the A’s regarding some of the other sticking points namely affordable housing and the court expects the A’s to get the wind hazards worked out.

#5 Charlie, we know San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer as in past discussions is opposed to the A’s moving to San Jose as the Giants claim that is their territory which put a huge road block in the way for the A’s to build in the South Bay. Fast forward how ironic would it be if the Howard Terminal project was approved and was able to move forward and front the Port of Oakland that could clearly be seen across the bay at Oracle Park?

Charlie O does the MLB podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com