The Oakland Athletics’ quest for a new ballpark continues to move along as the team seeks the necessary approval from a California state commission.
A’s officials, led by president Dave Kaval met with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission late last week to discuss the team’s proposed new stadium at Howard Terminal.
The commission is a “regulatory agency with regional authority over the San Francisco Bay Area,” according to its website. Its mission is to “encourage the Bay’s responsible and productive use” for future generations.
The space at Howard Terminal is designated for “port priority use” at the port of Oakland according to the BCDC’s website. The Athletics proposed plan to build a stadium is “inconsistent with (the) designation” for the port, according to the BCDC.
The current designation would need to be removed for “non-port development” if the project were to be approved.
One of the requirements that the A’s will need to meet, according to the BCDC, is to demonstrate that the project will not “detract from the regional capability to meet the projected growth in cargo” at the Port of Oakland. This, along with financing and transportation issues, are some of the challenges the A’s face as they move forward to build the stadium.
The meeting with the BCDC is part of a larger set of tasks that the A’s have called their “120-Day Action Plan,” according to a team press release. The to-do list has a team-imposed deadline of March 28, MLB’s opening day, for the A’s to complete the five steps.
The first task was expanding community and stakeholder engagement. The second is the environmental impact report, which includes the meeting with the BCDC commission.
The third is to secure an agreement with the Port of Oakland, which while in the team’s plans, has yet to happen. The fourth is to develop a framework for the redevelopment of the Oakland Coliseum with city and county officials.
The final step is to develop an economic and community benefits package. Crucial to the Athletics’ plan is to “ensure the projects deliver strong economic benefits” to the city of Oakland and its citizens, Kaval said in a press release. The renovation of the current Coliseum site would be expected to provide an influx of money as part of the plan.
While agreements with the Port of Oakland and the city of Oakland are not finalized, the A’s noted that they continue to meet with both parties.
The A’s hope to complete construction of the new ballpark at Howard Terminal in time for Major League Baseball’s 2023 season.
Only time will tell if the A’s are able to clear all of the necessary hurdles in the complicated deal to build the stadium.