The Oakland A’s could take a thorough look at Howard Terminal as a new ballpark site, as an exclusive negotiating window will be considered by officials on Thursday.
Howard Terminal has been one of three sites linked to the A’s in their ongoing search for a new ballpark, joining the Oakland Coliseum property and land near Laney College. However, it seems that the team has been more focused on the Howard Terminal and Coliseum sites over the last few months. No final decisions have been regarding the team’s choice, but Howard Terminal could get an extensive look if the exclusive negotiating agreement is approved on Thursday.
The key vote will come from Port of Oakland commissioners. Should the vote pass, the A’s would enter into a one-year exclusive negotiating window that would allow them to thoroughly study Howard Terminal as an option while their search continues. More from The Mercury News:
The one-year pact, known as an exclusive negotiating agreement, allows the A’s to study the economic potential and environmental issues at the 50-acre property near Jack London Square.
Last month, team President Dave Kaval and Mayor Libby Schaaf announced the A’s would also enter into a similar agreement with the city of Oakland to assess the Coliseum site. Oakland City Council needs to approve the deal.
“At this point it’s really critical to preserve as many options as possible in Oakland,” Kaval said Tuesday.
The “parallel paths” approach began after the Peralta Community College District board in December ended talks with the A’s to build a stadium on 13 acres at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East Eighth Street.
Howard Terminal has been favored in some circles for its waterfront setting and proximity to downtown Oakland, but it comes with questions about access and environmental concerns. If Thursday’s vote does pass, it would give the A’s more time to consider the pros and cons of Howard Terminal before making a final decision. The Coliseum, meanwhile, figures to be a target for redevelopment in the coming years, as the A’s continue to show interest while car manufacturerer Tesla and sports entrepreneur Mark Hall have been linked to all or part of the site.
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