tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post6099029080963951414..comments2023-10-16T03:27:54.609-07:00Comments on new A's ballpark: Wolff: I still think it's going to happenMarine Layerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515986023439927575noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-86081175396716687272008-08-26T15:18:00.000-07:002008-08-26T15:18:00.000-07:00Why don't they just build a pedestrian gate around...Why don't they just build a pedestrian gate around the ballpark so that people parking at Lowe's and all those big box stores can't just amble on over to the game?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-5991176173432738432008-08-15T23:00:00.000-07:002008-08-15T23:00:00.000-07:00Fremont may be a " boring burb " , but last I look...Fremont may be a " boring burb " , but last I looked , the current A's ballpark is not exactly in one of the many pockets of very well-to- do boring " leafy " or " yuppie " Oakland up north or hillside , but the more "iconic" ,gritty industrial concreted flatlands ,poorer <BR/>Oakland that the world , fairly or not , sees on TV.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-30555600255146922692008-08-15T12:01:00.000-07:002008-08-15T12:01:00.000-07:00Waiting for the EIR and the appeals to that docume...Waiting for the EIR and the appeals to that document are the only thing anyone can do right now. That will take at least another 9 mos. even with the expedited appeal process (enviro attorney here). <BR/><BR/>Whats wrong with buses, I grew up taking buses up to the stick from Burlingame. Works out great no driving hassle, no parking etc....<BR/><BR/>Im in Piedmont and am on the fence at to pro/con on this argument. I just want to see the team retain there excellent fanbase. The only negative to this IMHO is that Fremont is such a boring burb. i cant see it attracting more enthusiastic fans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-8329136965505677942008-08-06T22:27:00.000-07:002008-08-06T22:27:00.000-07:00Miketeevee,Now everything makes "hella" sense...Miketeevee,<BR/><BR/>Now everything makes "hella" sense...LeAndrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569820805920440162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-27426250939049944932008-08-06T20:44:00.000-07:002008-08-06T20:44:00.000-07:00Jeffrey said... "Mike Teevee... where do you find ...Jeffrey said... "Mike Teevee... where do you find such info?"<BR/><BR/>Regarding BART: Alameda County had a meeting a couple weeks ago in Fremont to talk about their Measure B projects. One of the BART Warm Springs planners was there.<BR/><BR/>Warm Springs isn't using any federal money because the cost/ridership figures wouldn't qualify. Santa Clara County is hoping their new sales tax (barely enough to not quite cover the BART operating fees) will be enough to qualify for federal funds.<BR/><BR/>Regarding freeway names: Mr. Roadshow in the Mercury News had a column a few weeks ago about how people in SoCal say "the 405" while people here just say "880".<BR/><BR/>(Confidential to LeAndre: No flinging or offense intended. I should have added the appropriate emoticon. It just looked funny to see it called "the 880".)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-44482996516145542522008-08-06T14:00:00.000-07:002008-08-06T14:00:00.000-07:00Everytime I write something about BART-to-SV I exp...Everytime I write something about BART-to-SV I expose my own ignorance about the issue's complexity. I imagine VTA Watch will chime in sooner or later.<BR/><BR/>BTW, what about the federal matching funds?Marine Layerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13515986023439927575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-22432376178246700402008-08-06T13:36:00.000-07:002008-08-06T13:36:00.000-07:00wow, thanks Miketeevee...I guess I wasn't born, ra...wow, thanks Miketeevee...I guess I wasn't born, raised, and live in Oakland like I thought I was...<BR/><BR/>...its people like you that turn this blog into just another poo flinging contest...LeAndrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569820805920440162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-14623507780782813522008-08-06T11:27:00.000-07:002008-08-06T11:27:00.000-07:00Mike Teevee... where do you find such info?Mike Teevee... where do you find such info?Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14086938574207856042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-37400150318690578282008-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:002008-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:00Marine Layer said... "Warm Springs BART is depende...Marine Layer said... "Warm Springs BART is dependent on Santa Clara County passing a tax hike this November. No telling if that's going to happen. If it does they'll start construction on WSX next year. Service would begin in 2014"<BR/><BR/>The Alameda County Measure B money for BART depends on a funded extension into Santa Clara County. If the new Santa Clara County tax fails, they still have enough money from their Measure A to build and operate BART to Berryessa, if they give up on the full extension to San Jose/Santa Clara. That's sufficient to free up Alameda County's Measure B funds.<BR/><BR/>If the new tax passes, they still won't have enough to build and operate the full BART extension to San Jose/Santa Clara.<BR/><BR/>Either way, BART is moving forward with Warm Springs using other funding. They're assuming Santa Clara County will settle on a funded project after November.<BR/><BR/>P.S. to LeAndre: Bay Area locals don't say "the" 880 and "the" 580. We just say 880 and 580.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-46129230889278412212008-08-05T19:02:00.000-07:002008-08-05T19:02:00.000-07:00fc, did you have a window open while driving throu...fc, did you have a window open while driving through there? If you did you'd understand why a stadium would be a horrible idea. It's downwind from the waste treatment plant.<BR/><BR/>leandre, Warm Springs BART is dependent on Santa Clara County passing a tax hike this November. No telling if that's going to happen. If it does they'll start construction on WSX next year. Service would begin in 2014, either 1-2 years after the ballpark opened.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, I don't think splitting the fan base is that big a deal to ownership. Either they're going to get it now as they plan or later when the ballpark opens and the big ticket price hikes kick in.Marine Layerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13515986023439927575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-29826928325011123102008-08-05T18:08:00.000-07:002008-08-05T18:08:00.000-07:00True, the proposed Warm Springs Bart station would...True, the proposed Warm Springs Bart station would be around the same distance as the West Oakland Bart for the Army Base...difference is, the Warm Springs Bart doesn't exist yet...and if I'm not mistaken, I remember Wolff saying that it wouldn't be finished until at least a few years after the ballpark...if you think it takes long for an EIR...wait until they try and build a bart extension...<BR/><BR/>Also, the 580 isn't the only other freeway the Army Base is close to...because the location is next to the maze, it can direct us to virtually any east bay freeway instantly, bringing everyone from all over the east bay,the 880, 580, 24, and the 13...the distance from the Fremont site to 680 is like the distance from the coliseum to 580, maybe a little closer...but roughly the same...<BR/><BR/>Comparing the two transportation challenges, I still think the Army Base has a slight advantage...anywhere next to the 880 will be confronted with traffic, that comes with the convenience of close freeway access...but with all the other freeway options, it spreads congestion...<BR/><BR/>Even if you can admit the only advantage the Army Base can offer is staying in Oakland, at least that eliminates the splitting of fan base that is occurring right now...no matter who's side you agree on...its still a problem. And I'm not quite confident that the dominating Giants San Jose fan base will just give up or there team just because the A's are a little closer, even if you brand the team "Silicon Valley"...I know I wouldn't abandon the A's if the Giants moved closer to my house...LeAndrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569820805920440162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-45142378676353315492008-08-05T00:20:00.000-07:002008-08-05T00:20:00.000-07:00ML or anyone else,I'm not very familiar with the s...ML or anyone else,<BR/><BR/>I'm not very familiar with the southbay, but while driving along 237 just west of 880 I noticed a large parcel of open land north of 237. Is this area part of SC county and therefore off limits? Seems to me there's enough land there to build a ballpark and then some. <BR/><BR/>With its proximity to 880 and 237, I have to believe traffic would not be as big of a problem as in Fremont. Not really sure about its proximity to lightrail.FChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03537898254316163855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-86041835038202006852008-08-05T00:15:00.000-07:002008-08-05T00:15:00.000-07:00ML, in your opinion, are there any places in the e...ML, in your opinion, are there any places in the east bay that you like other than the current Fremont site? That you think could actually work out well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-73733026202011665362008-08-04T22:58:00.000-07:002008-08-04T22:58:00.000-07:00It would allow the team to stay in Oakland and it ...It would allow the team to stay in Oakland and it would be awesome to have a stadium on the water with a view of the new east tower of the Bay Bridge. But...<BR/><BR/>Traffic-wise that's a worse location. That whole area has the worst or second worst traffic in the Bay Area year after year. BTW, Fremont also has a second freeway: 680. Also, the distance from West Oakland BART to the Army base is very similar to the distance from Warm Springs BART to Cisco.<BR/><BR/>So I don't think either of those represent an advantage over Pacific Commons. But it's an interesting option to ponder. Good post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-25880897071966084892008-08-04T22:33:00.000-07:002008-08-04T22:33:00.000-07:00One of the biggest knocks against the Army Base fo...One of the biggest knocks against the Army Base for a Ballpark Location is the expected huge cleanup cost.<BR/><BR/>Also, I remember reading something about how military property can not be used for residential housing...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-33401416208122829992008-08-04T21:55:00.000-07:002008-08-04T21:55:00.000-07:00the way I see it, the Army base only satisfies one...the way I see it, the Army base only satisfies one of the complaints about Fremont. That being that the A's are still in Oakland. The area around the bridge is horrible for traffic... 580 is especially nasty, unless I am thinking of the wrong portion of 580. Isn't it right around the maze?Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14086938574207856042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-82771831285198195552008-08-04T20:19:00.000-07:002008-08-04T20:19:00.000-07:00Thanks for the comment leandre. Every so often som...Thanks for the comment leandre. Every so often someone will bring up the Army Base. It is a large piece of land that is available. However, it's not great as a ballpark site for numerous reasons.<BR/><BR/>1. The EIR is complete, but that's not for a ballpark. Building a ballpark would require a brand new EIR due to purpose and related impacts.<BR/><BR/>2. It's not as close to West Oakland BART as you might think. The area that's been designated as the commercial core is on the northeast part of the base, near the maze. That area is 1.25 miles away from the station. They would have to run shuttles at the very least.<BR/><BR/>3. The Port is getting a large slice of the land for operations expansion. They've made it abundantly clear that they won't have housing anywhere nearby because it's incompatible (the Padres and the Port of San Diego are running into this very problem now). They could refocus on commercial, but the only commercial interested is big-box, and the rents from those businesses won't cut it.<BR/><BR/>4. When I asked about OAB in the past, Nancy Nadel was opposed. Now I know that isn't considered a big deal to many, but it is her district after all. Maybe Dellums trumps that, I don't know. It's up to them.<BR/><BR/>The rest of your points are quite valid. OAB is a decent site, but it's not without challenges.Marine Layerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13515986023439927575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-63325271753087153822008-08-04T18:34:00.000-07:002008-08-04T18:34:00.000-07:00jeffrey,(and everyone else)I'll be perfectly hones...jeffrey,(and everyone else)<BR/><BR/>I'll be perfectly honest with you, the Oakland Army Base is without a doubt the best place in the bay area to put the A's...The reason I'm so against Fremont is because I know the Army Base is where the A's should be...I'm not part of any OAFC, or any anti-Fremont organization, I just honestly believe Wolff could easily avoid this controversy and make everyone happy by taking advantage of the Army Base...<BR/><BR/>Pros:<BR/>*Close to West Oakland Bart,<BR/>*Close to the 880 freeway and the 580(theres no place in the East Bay with the advantage of being close to both, Wolff says everyone drives to the game, this would be the best access)<BR/>*The EIR is already finished!!!<BR/>*Mayor Dellum has said the city of Oakland would support a ballpark at that location.<BR/>*Plenty of space for commercial business and parking.<BR/>*Amazing view of either the new Bay Bridge(which would be finished by the time the ballpark is built) or the Oakland skyline/Oakland hills.<BR/>*Free advertising...the ballpark would be right next to the busiest bridge in the world, people would constantly be reminded of the A's...Selling out games for decades to come.<BR/>*My favorite Pro, A's and Giants playing directly across from each other with only the Bay Bridge between them. A dream come true.<BR/><BR/>Cons:<BR/>*Much like Fremont, that part of the 880 can get very congested, with a ballpark there,the only advantage would be the 580, fans can spread out to two freeways instead of just one.<BR/>*The land probably would cost more, don't know this for a fact, but I'm assuming it would be.<BR/>*Probably isn't the best location for housing, however depending on how its developed it could be...I wouldn't think so though, but with the way the market is right now, I say we just stick with commercial/retail...providing lots of jobs.<BR/>*Location might have to compete with Emeryville a little bit...but as long as you provide what Emeryville's shopping center doesn't, it wouldn't be that bad...in my opinion a ballpark as a shopping hub is a lot more appealing than a movie theater as a shopping hub.<BR/><BR/>Just to point out...Wolff did say the Army Base didn't "Pan out.." I don't know why...and when I go to city councils in Oakland I ask some members and they say they don't know either...In my opinion i think the Pros out weigh the Cons...Now lets all respectfully debate this, no name calling, just valid points, and lets try not to pick sides please...ML, I would like your opinion too...tell me why the A's can't, or can move to the Army Base, and I'd like to remind everyone that the EIR has been done since Dec. 2006, all that "stalling" we're going through now, can be avoided...<BR/><BR/>http://www.business2oakland.com/main/oaklandarmybase.htm<BR/><BR/>...sorry for the long post...LeAndrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569820805920440162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-42805269048200275162008-08-04T14:43:00.000-07:002008-08-04T14:43:00.000-07:00Jeffrey,You're right, name calling is uncalled for...Jeffrey,<BR/><BR/>You're right, name calling is uncalled for. As poster anon 12:09, I apologize for the "dimwit" remark. I just have little patience for folks who post in all caps and with 30 exclamation points, particularly when I think their comments are disingenuous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-11692747572180859562008-08-04T12:36:00.000-07:002008-08-04T12:36:00.000-07:00Wow. Now people are calling each other names. It m...Wow. Now people are calling each other names. It must be getting desperate.<BR/><BR/>Quick question, does anyone know how far of a walk it is from the BART station to the coliseum? I am interested in understanding the difference between the proposed Cap Corridor/ACE station. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, the whole "in flux" Rick Hurd firestorm has had me thinking. What other realistic options are there for a stadium in the East Bay that take into account all off the myriad complaints? Traffic? Funding? etc?Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14086938574207856042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-87134094766325202522008-08-03T23:15:00.000-07:002008-08-03T23:15:00.000-07:00The free parking issues, "parking poaching".... an...The free parking issues, "parking poaching".... and the site next to the existing Coliseum was "nixed" because "a power substation could not be moved"?<BR/><BR/>Moving a power substation seems a lot more straightforward than what is going on with the Fremont quagmire.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-70106561641360225152008-08-03T00:09:00.000-07:002008-08-03T00:09:00.000-07:00Dimwit 12:08- You really don't get it. Any South ...Dimwit 12:08- <BR/><BR/>You really don't get it. Any South Bay park must be close to BART? Why? Clearly, for any Fremont park, South Bay and/or Fremont residents will be more than half the customer base. For these people (as well as many in Dublin and other parts of the East Bay) BART is entirely irrelevant. You could build the ball park right on top of the Fremont BART station and it would benefit the target customer base not the slightest bit.<BR/><BR/>Bear in mind, BART is only a minor benefit to the current customer base. Only 15% ride it to games right now. Again, this figure would drop precipitously even if it were possible to build a Fremont ball park right next to BART.<BR/><BR/>The Fremont ballpark is about the South Bay. BART is therefore irrelevant. If you are mourning the death of the A's as an East Bay team, that is rational and understandable. But all this garbage about BART and traffic is pure tripe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-57699865571240461642008-08-02T19:41:00.000-07:002008-08-02T19:41:00.000-07:00Interesting screeds today. I'm left pondering a q...Interesting screeds today. I'm left pondering a question. If the OAFC crowd is truly apoplectic about the lack of public transit and perceived traffic snarls, why aren't they tickled pink that the A's are leaving Oakland and thereby freeing up their freeways? <BR/><BR/>If I lived in Oakland and felt that way, I'd be giving them a kick in the ass to get out. Another question, why is their tone so stridently bitter? <BR/><BR/>This site receives props from many other forums devoted to the A's. Always good information to be found here. I don't post often, but I visit at least three or four times a week. I know of a lot of other folks who do the same. Keep up the good work Marinelayer, it's nice to have a voice of reason who is actually quite non partisan about the relocation effort. <BR/><BR/>If the OAFC crowd is responsible for the anonymous diatribes, you guys would do well to stop posting here. You only hurt your cause when you let your fingers fly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-5152041116673342352008-08-02T18:24:00.000-07:002008-08-02T18:24:00.000-07:00If you wish to assess the level of literacy attend...If you wish to assess the level of literacy attendant to OAFC'ers who come to this site to proffer their long refuted rants on why it would be so terrible for the A's to leave "lovely" Oakland for a new stadium built a mere 20 miles down the pike (they'd prefer the A's leave the region than relocate south of Oakland), check out the following post representative of commentary on OAFC:<BR/><BR/>"Congrats to Wolff and Beane--For making a fun promising year and turning it into a shitty one, we had to trade harden one of the best pitchers in the game then throw in gauden who has been magnificent also. <BR/><BR/>"We couldnt sign a bat or go after offense have to play barton who is either a bust or not ready , i know we prob wouldnt have made the playoffs but lets just rip the fans heart by constantly trading good players for minor leage stuff. <BR/><BR/>"we should have been buyers not sellers sorry but if haden is able to keep injury free he will win 3-4 cy youngs and we will be the Boston redsox of 1996 letting Clemens go ect.... <BR/><BR/><BR/>"were now gettin our teeth kicked in bye everyone incl. KC <BR/><BR/>"i think we should have signed Bonds early and been agressive we could be right in the middle of this thing with the 7 wons he would have given us by now "Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11432525.post-74496809099075054552008-08-02T10:54:00.000-07:002008-08-02T10:54:00.000-07:00Thats a great idea 1650. I wonder if the A's could...Thats a great idea 1650. I wonder if the A's could work a deal out with Capitol Corridor or ACE and either provide addentional trains (unlikely) or maybe they could try to work out a discounted for A's fans. I am in Oakland so I think I will be taking the train for day and weekend games to the ballpark when they move to Cisco.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com