The following statement on behalf of the East Oakland Stadium Alliance is attributed to Mike Jacob, Vice President and General Counsel of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, on the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) by the City of Oakland regarding the Oakland A’s proposed luxury condominium, office tower, and stadium complex at Howard Terminal in the Port of Oakland:
"Our coalition of labor, community, and business groups who are significantly impacted by the Oakland A’s proposed project at Howard Terminal will be doing a thorough analysis of this draft report. We know that Oakland's working waterfront is no place for a stadium, office, and luxury condominium complex, and this environmental review must ultimately shine a bright light on the many significant adverse impacts of building the proposed stadium complex at this location.
"We anticipate that the Howard Terminal Draft EIR will once again confirm the obvious and what everyone already knows -- that the current Coliseum site remains the ideal and most logical location for a new ballpark that will make A’s fans proud to call home. This is especially true since the Coliseum site already has an approved Environmental Impact Report.
“Unfortunately, this Draft EIR is also being released under an unresolved claim that the A’s project has the authority to proceed under a now-expired fast-track process. Because there is still a lawsuit pending on this very question in state appellate court, we are very disappointed that the A’s and the City are moving forward with the release of this Draft EIR prior to the final resolution of this critical issue.
“We look forward to more fully reviewing and addressing this DEIR in the days ahead and continuing to support efforts to secure a new A’s ballpark at the Coliseum site in East Oakland."
Additional Information:
While the DEIR provides some important information about potential impacts, much remains unknown about this project's full scope.
A fully-reasoned discussion about the viability of this proposal cannot be had until a comprehensive transportation plan, seaport compatibility plan, economic study, financing plan, community benefits agreement, and business plan are presented to the public.
The port is home to over 80,000 jobs, many of which would be lost forever if they are displaced by conflicting real estate demands. Any decision that reduces maritime-related jobs undermines the Port of Oakland's success in favor of developers who do not share the same commitment to the West Oakland community.
A newly redeveloped stadium at the current Coliseum site remains the preferred option for Oakland residents and A's fans, as it already contains the necessary legal approvals, existing infrastructure, and transit options to support a ballpark, and would serve as an economic engine for surrounding East Oakland neighborhoods.
