Steee-rike: Court Tosses Abusive CEQA Lawsuit Challenging Oakland A’s Ballpark, Waterfront Development Plan

A state court of appeal this week tossed a lawsuit seeking to disrupt and delay plans by the Oakland A’s to build a new privately financed ballpark and surrounding development along the city’s waterfront. In a common strategy used by opponents of all types of construction, from housing and homeless shelters to solar panels and bike lanes, the group challenged the project on the grounds an environmental review failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The court agreed with a lower court ruling last year that the environmental review was sound. With pressure on the A’s and the city of Oakland to reach an agreement soon on how to finance infrastructure needed for the overall project, the CEQA lawsuit was a clear attempt to slow down progress. Meanwhile, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and the A’s are continuing to negotiate on a development agreement.