Oakland Officials Remain Hopeful On Ballpark Proposal
OAKLAND (KCBS) - Oakland city officials said they are hoping to be able to keep the A's in Oakland if a new ballpark is built on some waterfront property.
The plan under consideration calls for a new 39,000 seat ballpark east of Fallon Street near Jack London Square.
But there are some who are against the proposal, including Corbett Griffith, who owns two businesses near the proposed site.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
"Putting a large stadium here would blight the area, destroy old art communities, destroy 50-60 year old family businesses that have been here for longer than the team," he said.
Oakland Mayor-elect Jean Quan supports the proposal, as does Joe Haraburda, President of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce.
"We think it would be a great economic development opportunity for Oakland," Haraburda said. "The A's have been here 40 years and we'd like to make it 50 or 75."
City officials are looking to get the get the ball rolling by starting an environmental impact report for the project.
The public will have a chance to voice their opinions at an Oakland Planning Commission meeting on December 1.
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