The transfer of land destined for a new San Jose ballpark is officially being reviewed by California Controller John Chiang to determine whether it was done legally.
California municipalities were warned in early 2011 that assets of city and county redevelopment agencies would be transferred to the state in order to balance the budget. For the most part, that indeed happened (which ended up killing one potential Triple-A ballpark in Escondido), but San Jose created a separate Diridon Development Authority and transferred the land there. San Jose officials say the transfer of land happened well before the state order to turn over assets; Chiang is now reviewing that transaction. He's already overturned similar transactions in other cities.
The review is expected to run through the middle of September.
At this time this won't materially impact any potential new Oakland A's ballpark; the review was anticipated by almost everyone associated with the ballpark development. But it a complication that could end up making Lew Wolff's efforts toward a new San Jose ballpark a more difficult -- and expensive -- task.
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