OAKLAND (CBS SF/BCN). Despite the possibility of a move to Las Vegas, the Oakland City Council unanimously approved the final Environmental Impact Report for the Howard Terminal Ball Park. It is still possible that the As will decide to stay in the Bay Area.
After hours of deliberation, council members voted 6-2 to approve the plan. Noel Gallo was supported by Carroll Fife who cast the negative votes. This was a significant milestone in the city’s fight to be the home of the American League franchise.
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There is still much to be done. It is necessary to reach a binding financial agreement between the As and the city. Thursday’s vote is also the first of two votes the council will use to certify the impact study. March 1 was the date set for the final passage vote.
Dave Kaval, Team President, celebrated the vote with a social media post in which he called it a big step closer towards a new waterfront baseball park at Howard Terminal.
Fife asked As to have a discussion with people who live in West Oakland and have been there for many years. Gallo claimed that the Coliseum’s location in his district was the best for the As.
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In the five hours leading up to the vote, 400 people had their say. Because it will create jobs, tradespeople such as iron workers and plumbers favored the project.
Others expressed concerns about the impact of the stadium’s location on air quality, traffic, and pollution.
Tonight’s vote of the City Council was a historic moment in Oakland’s future, stated Libby Schaaf (Oakland Mayor). The companion resolution of Councilmembers Bas, Kaplan and Kalb ensures that all Oaklanders benefit from the proposed waterfront baseball district. A world-class development of 18 acres of new parks, 3,000 housing units, and a new affordable housing development will be built using the highest sustainable and most environmentally responsible standards on our waterfront.
Schaaf described Thursday night’s action as more than a milestone.
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It’s a huge step forward in our shared mission of creating a regional destination that returns our waterfront to the public. It connects a new vibrant neighbourhood to our downtown and provides tens to thousands of good union jobs to our residents. And all this while keeping our beloved As rooted here in Oakland, Schaaf said.
