Some Port of Oakland stakeholders are speaking out against a proposed Oakland A’s ballpark at Howard Terminal, citing concerns over how it will affect port operations.
The Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal is being targeted by the A’s for a proposed project that would include a new ballpark to replace RingCentral Coliseum. In addition to a new ballpark, the concept for Howard Terminal calls for new mixed-use development to be constructed at the site, including housing units, retail, office space, open space, and more.
Throughout the ongoing discussions about the plan, various representatives of industries that conduct business at the port have expressed fears about the proposal, citing concerns such as how it would affect existing operations. During an Oakland City Council meeting on Tuesday, representatives from companies and unions with operations at the port spoke out against the project. While there were reportedly other speakers in attendance that spoke positively about the plan, some port stakeholders were clear in their opposition. More from SFGate:
[GSC Logistics] CEO Scott Taylor cited a report that said the Port of Oakland could run out of space by 2030 or 2050, depending on the rate of growth. The council asked for a copy of the report but it was not immediately clear whether they received one.
Taylor said that there is a “memo going throughout the industry advising vessel lines and terminal operators to bypass Oakland if a stadium is built.”
“The future of Oakland, the economic engine of Northern California, the jewel of the Bay Area, is the Port of Oakland supporting thousands of thousands of jobs,” Taylor said.
Members of the ILWU also spoke in opposition to the project. Union Vice President Melvin McKay said that the council had not yet discussed it with his members.
The A’s have pitched the Howard Terminal ballpark for a 2023 opening, but plenty of steps remain in order to bring the plans to fruition. Along with a new ballpark at the Howard Terminal site, the A’s are proposing a redevelopment of the Coliseum complex that would include an amphitheater to replace the Coliseum, new construction in the existing parking lots, and the operation of Oracle Arena–the now former home of the Golden State Warriors–for a variety of events.
RELATED STORIES: Transit Central to Howard Terminal Ballpark Planning; City Council Backs Two State Bills for A’s Howard Terminal Ballpark; Oakland City Council: We Won’t be Rushed on Howard Terminal Decision; Economic Benefits of New Oakland Athletics Waterfront Ballpark: $7.3B; A’s Ballpark Bill Clears State Assembly; A’s Tentative Howard Terminal Agreement Approved; A’s Set for Crucial Howard Terminal Vote; A’s Nearing Vote on Tentative Term Sheet for Howard Terminal; Alameda County Moves Forward With A’s Coliseum Sale; Bill Supporting Howard Terminal Ballpark Advances; A’s Reach Tentative Deal to Purchase County’s Share of Coliseum Site; Maritime Industry Balks at A’s Howard Terminal Ballpark Plan; Traffic, Pollution Emerging as Biggest A’s Ballpark Challenges; Housing a Major Component of A’s Ballpark Proposal; A’s Adjust Howard Terminal Ballpark Design; A’s Partner With Environmental Justice Group as Howard Terminal Talks Continue; Manfred Expresses Optimism About A’s Howard Terminal Pitch; Groups Opposing A’s Howard Terminal Plan; Howard Terminal’s History Could Complicate A’s Ballpark Pitch; Study: Oakland Gondola Would Provide Economic Benefits; A’s Propose Howard Terminal Ballpark, Coliseum Redevelopment; A’s: We’re Track to Announce Ballpark Plan by Year’s End; Potential New A’s Ballpark Backed in Poll; Bill Related to New Oakland A’s Ballpark Signed Into Law; Legislature Approves Bills Related to New Oakland A’s Ballpark; Bjarke Ingels Group to Design New Oakland A’s Ballpark; Oakland A’s Enter Coliseum Negotiations; A’s Howard Terminal Vote Set for Thursday; Alameda County, Oakland to Negotiate Coliseum Site Ownership; Oakland Coliseum Site Now a Hot Property; Oakland Mayor Backs Negotiation Window with A’s; Oakland A’s Make Offer for Coliseum Site; A’s Still Considering Coliseum Site for New Ballpark; Oakland Seeks Full Ownership of Oakland Coliseum Complex