One of the largest developments in California history is one step closer to breaking ground on the Oakland waterfront.
The City of Oakland voted to certify the environmental impact report for the Oakland Athletics’ massive proposed development near the Port of Oakland and Howard Terminal. This is a critical step for any large project, especially in the progressive Bay Area.
The news got a nice reaction from A’s president Dave Kaval.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf was also overjoyed by the “yes” vote, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Sarah Ravani, who has covered this story diligently.
As Schaaf’s statement details, this development is huge, including far more than just a ballpark for the A’s. The baseball stadium is slated to cost roughly $1 billion, while the total project will cost somewhere in the $12 billion range. The vast majority of the cost will be privately financed by the Athletics.
According to Ravani, however, the A’s and the City of Oakland expect legal challenges from locals opposed to the project.
Opponents of the project have said their concerns around compatibility with port functions, affordable housing, removal of toxic waste and traffic congestion have not been adequately addressed in the report.
Sarah Ravani/San Francisco Chronicle
Plus, the A’s still have a foot in the Las Vegas market for a potential new ballpark in the Nevada desert.
If the Atheltics’ proposed development Oakland is ultimately approved, however, it will completely transform the area around Jack London Square. Given the size of the project, final approval will be no easy task. Still, it’s now one step closer to breaking ground.
(Photo courtesy Robert Campbell, Robert Campbell Photography)
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