Major Milestone for Oakland A’s Waterfront Ballpark

The Oakland A’s bold plans for a new waterfront ballpark and surrounding commercial and residential development at Howard Terminal hit a major milestone today with the release of the final environmental impact report, a critical document in the process for winning approval of the project. A vote by the City Council on the EIR could come as soon as February following a public hearing by the city Planning Commission scheduled for Jan. 19.

“Releasing the final Environmental Impact Report is a major milestone on our path to build a new waterfront ballpark district that will create up to 18 acres of beautiful public parks, more affordable housing, and good jobs for Oaklanders,” Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement. “The 3,500-page document is thorough and exhaustive, and it ensures that the project is environmentally safe and sustainable. The completion of the EIR also keeps us on track to bring the project for a final vote to the City Council in 2022 — and brings us one step closer to keeping our beloved A’s rooted in Oakland.”

The Bay Area Council, which counts the Oakland A’s among our members, has been an ardent and vocal supporter of the ballpark plans, which would transform an underutilized industrial area north of Jack London Square into a vibrant waterfront district. A’s President and Council Executive Committee member Dave Kaval tweeted his reaction to the release: “Huge milestone! Howard Terminal or Bust! Now let’s get a binding vote.”

 A 2019 study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found that the A’s privately financed waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square would generate $7.3 billion in economic benefits over 10 years for Oakland and Alameda County and create more than 6,100 permanent jobs.