BART to Warm Springs construction to begin
- 08.24.09, 19:10
- 85 Comments
After securing a bid 45% lower than originally estimated, the tunnel portion of Warm Springs extension has been given the go-ahead by BART. The tunnel will extend southeast from the existing Fremont BART station, underneath man-made Lake Elizabeth, before turning south to occupy the former Western Pacific rail right-of-way. The only station to be built is Warm Springs, which will also be the future southern terminus until construction on the extension to San Jose/Silicon Valley begins. Another station in the Irvington district is currently unfunded. The complete estimated cost for the 5.4-mile extension is $890 million.
It’s odd that one of the reasons for building the Warm Springs station at the planned location, NUMMI, will probably not be around for the opening in 2014. It’s also likely that nothing will have replaced the auto plant by the time the station opens. Lew Wolff has rejected any idea of revisiting Fremont for the time being.
almost all talk about san jose comes out of peoples rears
BTW, you still have a link to the Baseball San Jose blog even though there's been nothing posted there for almost three months.
You pulled the link to Linusalf's blog after way less time than that.
linusalf stopped trying. BSJ blog is waiting for the next move.
Like I've been saying many times before on this blog. Yes I have a very reliable source who has been meeting with Lew Wolff, MLB's committee and Bud Selig. You guys can all continue to speculate whatever will make all you pro-San Jose people feel better, but I will continue to listen to my source.
I've also said before that my source had a meeting with Bud Selig a couple of weeks ago including the stadium committee and it went very well. I'm not saying anything is a done deal by all means, but don't even think about counting Oakland out of the picture! Besides, my source was also was invited to the All-Star game not only by the Blue Ribbon Committee, but also by Lew Wolff who he did end up attending the festivities with. They even flew to St. Louis together on the A's corporate jet. If what you all say was true and Lew Wolff really didn't care about Oakland that much and knew it was never going to remain a possibility, then why is he trying to keep such good working relationships with Oakland City Officials by inviting them to the All Star game?? I'll tell you why…because he probably realizes how difficult a move to San Jose is becoming and he's starting to really like what he see's out of the "new" Oakland Officials.
So you all can keep trying to bash the city of Oakland as much as you'd like and I'll continue to get information from my source. No offense to ML, you do a very nice job on this blog with a lot of helpful and useful information, but we all know that you get most of your information these days from articles you may come across and maybe a couple of interviews you had in the past. I'm also the one who said that we should know something by December according to my source, which was then followed by ML indicating for us to expect something by the Winter meetings. I think ML even knows that I obviously do seem to know something that most of you if not all of you know very little about.
When will most of you start excepting the truth that San Jose is far from being the front runner to land the A's. Again, they aren't even allowed to discuss any possibilities with allowing a possible move by the A's due to the territorial rights held by the Giants. And we all know how much they aren't going to give those up without a long hard battle if needed.
If this doesn't influence MLB's decision regarding the A's future, I don't know what will:
Today's Mercury News, "S.J. to add 400,000 people by 2035." Also 339,000 new jobs added. As the Merc puts it, "That's almost like all Oaklanders moving to San Jose over 25 years."
To that I say "No thanks, just the A's…and possibly Warriors and Raiders."
Linusalf stopped trying because he/she realized that no on gave a crap about their blog. Not only has it not been updated since June, but since December 2008 there's been less than 20 comments. Obviously no one other than the San Jose partisans who follow this blog regularly really care that much. I bet the few comments that were even left since December are the same very few people posting over and over again.
Nice try San Jose!!
10:30 – No offense taken. I don't actively seek out interviews. The Wolff interview came via a mutual friend's suggestion. I don't try to scoop the regular media, getting the details right is what matters. I'm extremely thankful I don't have to worry about deadlines or editors.
Re: Oakland officials, I'm trying to wrap my mind around how Lew's view of the City could take such a 180 in only a few months, especially given the Dellums administration's (in)competence. It's for that reason that I'm a bit skeptical. I'm sure they're talking a very good game, but it really will take a lot more than "here are some sites and dev opportunities, have at it."
Anon 1030. I would like to see an A's stadium in Oakland, but I'm just wondering, who is your source. Could you give an exact name. Thanks.
No one should feel compelled to name sources. We're not talking WMD's here.
Anon 10:30–ironic that after the All-Star game in St. Louis LW gave an interview to a local St. Louis columinst and among other things stated in the interview is his desire to build a new ballpark in ….downtown SJ….second….why wait until December for Oakland to announce they have a great new plan for a downtown ballpark…it won't require other owners to vote…this date is insignificant to Oaklands efforts—but significant to moving the team to SJ where there would be potentially a nod from MLB to begin the negotiations-
Last thing that MLB and LW want to be accused of by Oakland is that they weren't willing to listen–but talk is cheap–its all about delivering–and Oakland can't do it–you know that—we all know that–time to move on
anon 1030,
Shaking head very, very slowly.
You're even calling out ML, who's actually had (and probably still has) the ear of Lew Wolff?!
Oh well, it's your world, so live in it as you please.
Anon 1:28,
Please show me the article where it specifically indicates that Lew Wolff "publicly" came out and said at the All Star game that he wishes to build in San Jose very well knowing that is against MLB policy. I know the article you mention. I've read it and it only speculates an opinion of the writer. Lew Wolff was NEVER QUOTED in St. Louis that he wishes to build in San Jose. The article clears says that he thought "downtown looked great" for their (St. Louis) new ballpark village. The writer Tim Bryant is the one who says that Lew Wolff plans to build a stadium in downtown San Jose. He's just indicating what the rest of the baseball world thinks.
In my honest opinion, the only people who really knows anything is the people having discussions in the meetings. The people discussing anything with the Committee, Bud Selig and Lew Wolff. Not writers from St. Louis.
I think I'm gonna have to listen to anon 10:30 on this even if he doesn't want to list his source. He seems to know a little bit more "inside" info than the everyday bloggers posting on this site…no offense ML. Everyone else on here can obviously only speculate and voice their opinions. This guy seems to really know someone, so in a sense he might actually be able to be somewhat of a fly on the wall in these meetings.
Maybe he's right and Oakland really does still have a great chance?! Lots of great things seemd to be happening in Oakland the last several months. The new restaurant at Lake Merritt wich just opened up…the Uptown District's new bars and restaurants…and even this weekends' Eat Real Festival (http://eatrealfest.com/) was lots of fun today and totally packed with people from all over the place. It will still be going on all day tomorrow as well if any of you want to check it out.
Sorry 12:12, but I'm not about to name my source on an A's ballpark blog. I'm not a retard and I've got more class than that.
Plus just for the record, my source has not said one bad thing about San Jose or SCC. Basically I've only been informed with progress Oakland has been making with their plans and the responses being received from the meetings, Lew Wolff and Bud Selig.
Ok hold up…my names being dragged through the mud quite a bit here
I never "stopped trying" come on dude. I have been very active in several other ways besides being blogger. Due to several factors I don't really have time to be a full time blogger, but don't say I "stopped trying" I have been very active in gathering information and keeping people informed about all issues regarding how Lew Wolff conducts his business, financing of stadiums, the earthquakes, the a's, budget deficits in Oakland AND San Jose and how they might affect how the A's stadium will be paid for. Recently me, and some other well informed long time Oakland A's fans have been working together very diligently to put together a new website to promote Oakland A's baseball history and lore, but also news relative to a's stadium and business issues. My blog will be a part of this, but with multiple contributors as well. Say what you want about me, call me a partisan or whatever, but don't say i've stopped trying.
You stopped trying on your blog, Linusalf. Your audience would be best served by either updating the blog to reflect all of your work or by deleting the blog altogether. You owe your readers at least that much.
Anon 1:28—since you requested it—so help me out in which part you don't understand….St. Louis Post Dispatch—7/15—In my book–"Wolff said…" is a quote- note it wasn't Wolff has said….
"Wolff said he wasn’t up to speed on Ballpark Village but noted he had considered a similar but smaller development as part of a plan to move the A’s to Fremont, Calif. (That plan fell through but Wolff is concentrating now on moving the team to San Jose; fans in Oakland aren’t happy.)
The days of using profits from condo sales to pay for the rest of a mixed-use development are over for the next two to five years, Wolff said. Projects like Ballpark Village “are very difficult to implement these days,” he added.
Wolff said he plans to build an A’s stadium in downtown San Jose without a public subsidy.
“The more cookies you take out of the public jar, the sicker you get if you eat them all,” he said."
Kyo,
You're credibility vanished in just two paragraphs! You claim (rightly) that the only people that know what's going on are the ones on the committee, MLB and Lew Wolff. But then you go on to say that you'll believe what ANON OAKLAND FLY ON THE WALL has to say about the A's future. COME AGAIN!?
By the way, a recent Mercury News interview with Lew Wolff (regarding the Earthquakes) stated that he reiterated (meaning "stated again") his desire to move the A's to San Jose.
So let's see: Believe Lew Wolff or ANON OAKLAND FLY ON THE WALL? The proverbial no-brainer! Oh, I'm sorry, the Merc reporter was only stating his opinion because that's what everyone else thinks…WHATEVER!
Again, it's your guys' world, so live in it as you please.
I still don't see it and he wasn't quoted saying that at all. It's what Tim Bryant is trying to indicate. He clearly quoted him on two other occasions throughout the article, but not anywhere does LEW WOLFF HIMSELF say that he wants to build in San Jose.
If at the current time he truly wanted to build in San Jose, then why didn't he ask any San Jose Officials to the All Star game?? I mean we all know what he has said in the past about his desire to move out of Oakland, but that was before the stadium committee was even formed to rule out Oakland all together.
It seems uncle Lew is starting to realize that Oakland can come up with something great that he did miss before and that trying for San Jose is just too much hassle (especially if the committee concluded that Oakland is still very much a viable option for a brand new ballpark) at this point. He knows that he's looked very poorly in the eyes of not only Oakland residents, but the East Bay community as well for his desire to leave where they've been for over 40 years. He obviously wants to show some sort of good faith to the City of Oakland by keeping a good working relationship so that when the stadium committee concludes that the A's should remain in Oakland, they'll be ready get the things rolling immediately.
"I'm not a retard and I've got more class than that."
Are you sure about that anon oakland fly on the wall? Are you not reading what you're typing on this blog?
KYU, you are really, really reaching (in desperation) trying to explain English grammar and when a quote isn't a quote, bla bla bla.
Get this through your thick skull (if possible): a writer from St. Louis has no reason to make shit up regarding Wolff's intentions or the A's future.
In closing, do you believe it when Wolff tells the Mercury News he still plans on relocating the A's to San Jose?
Or are you going to believe anon oakland fly on the wall who knows a guy who knows a guy?
So, it would be cool if some real new came out.
I am skeptical of the Oakland "plans" for the simple fact that there haven't been any announced, and those hinted at are pretty improbable. Jack London Square is nice and has been improved a great deal recently. But the cost to make that place accessible and prepared for a ballpark are astronomical… If people think a multi use parking garage is a big hurdle because to requires public money, wait until they see the bill Oakland would be asked to pay for infrastructure in JLS.
I thought Larry Jackson's plan he outlined on this blog was decent. I'd like to see more about it. I would think that if you were looking strictly from a business perspective the former Homebase site is the elast desirable if you considered JLS, San Jose and staying put across the parking lot.
At tis point, we only know what San Jose has to offer. And after going to Fenway Park, I have to say I like the potential in the San Jose site. I'd like to see what Oakland's alternatives are so I could make a reasoned opinion… maybe JLS is possible, None of us, anonymous sources or not, seem to be able to articulate what Oakland's plan is in order for anyone to make a reasonable assesment of the plan.
Well put jeffrey.
+1 Jeffrey
I just reread this post. Sorry for the typos and such. What a depressing game yesterday… ugh. We need some positive news on the stadium front cause it sure ain't gonna come on the field for a while.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm gonna believe anon oakland fly on the wall who knows a guy for now. He seems to know more than anyone else who's just on here blogging and commenting.
I would like to see any recent article quoting Lew Wolff clearly stating that he wants to move to San Jose. Please post any articles you all claim Lew Wolff has been quoted saying AFTER the stadium committee was formed.
And yes, I will continue to believe the fly on the wall. It seems what he has been claiming is that his source is the one who's been part of the meetings and has met on several occasions with Lew Wolff and Bud Selig. So he is our fly on the wall, more than I can say for any of you bloggers.
You don't need to apologize for typos. People use typos as a last resort to try and attack others opinions. I agree some positive news would nice, it's just a waiting game I suppose.
This back-and-forth about the veracity of claims is silly. Let it rest.
As far as Lew goes, it's flat out denial if you don't believe his designs are on San Jose just because there's no direct quote. That's part of the PR game.
Personally I find it refreshing that the Oakland crowd has moved from LW being the lowest form of life to the great savior…just how long this romance will this romance last….
ML,
Even if there was a direct quote from Lew Wolff, the Oakland Delusionals would state whoever reported it "made it up," or based it on what everyone else was saying, yada yada yada.
The Sunday Mercury News had a nice tidbit on Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone and his outstanding letter to Barbara Boxer. Pretty similar to what A's part/owner Guy Saperstein wrote to Sen. Boxer. Seems that (rightfully) Dianne Feinstein is staying neutral on this one and a lot of Silicon Valley big wigs are pushing for the A's to San Jose.
Lastly, how anyone could think that this Oakland supporter with an inside "source" is credible and knows more than anyone else on this blog (more than Marinelayer?) is beyond me!
Gee, believe Lew Wolff, Guy Saperstein, Larry Stone or Marinelayer…or believe this Oakland insider with a "source?" OK ML, I'll rest.
Too funny. "I'm going to believe this Oakland dude because he shares my delusions." OK! That's a great basis for forming your opinions.
Anyway, it would be great if Oakland comes up with a good proposal. But anything around the Coliseum won't be it. JLS would be cool as would anything downtown. I'd be seriously jazzed by that. Anything else is pointless.
In a desperate attempt to get this conversation back on track, let me make a few statements and then point out what I see as the elephant in the room. (Sorry Stomper, different elephant.) First: as an East Bay resident, I would love nothing more than for the A's to stay in Oakland, even if it meant building a new stadium next to the Coliseum. I think the political situation in Oakland renders this highly unlikely, however. Second: From a geographic and economic perspective, it makes SO much sense to have the A's in San Jose. It's the third most populous city in California and the economic center of Northern California AND it's moves the A's further away from the Giants. The territorial rights issue it completely idiotic but still very real, and it doesn't sound like BART is going to San Jose any time soon (latest guess is 2025.) Third, Fremont makes SOME sense, since it's as close to San Jose as you can get without leaving Alameda County, plus it's exactly halfway between Oakland and San Jose. The Pacific Commons plan, however, was absolutely inexcusably stupid, on the wrong side of 880 with no real public transit option. Warm Springs made more sense but the neighbors didn't want it, which I can understand. But now we have the news that NUMMI is closing. So here you have a large industrial site in Fremont, surrounded by a sea of employee parking, zoned for industrial use, and with a BART station partially meant to service it under construction. Does anyone else think this might just be the best place to site a new stadium, assuming the site can be cleaned up?
dmontero:
Good points, mostly, with one big exception — San Jose is not the economic center of Northern Califiornia. That title still resides in San Francisco.
Compare the two cities' skylines, airports, convention centers, financial institutions, tourist activity, medical research and treatment facilities, arts activity (yes, that too is an economic enngine), public transportation infrastructure, etc.
This "source" that claims the Oakland and MLB are talking is funny or tragic, depending on your point of view.
An Oakland proposal could very well be true, but only as a "straw man" that Wolff and Selig will hold up as the "alternative" that will be quickly shot down.
In fact, I'm pretty sure that is what's happening- some people are complaining that the A's haven't even considered Oakland. Well, these chumps in Oakland will provide some ridiculously inadequate plan that will be held up by MLB as the only option for staying in Oakland. And that will completely discredit any remaining opposition to moving the A's.
Just wondering (not being facetious), what does a skyline have to do with being an economic engine?
"San Jose is not the economic center of Northern Califiornia. That title still resides in San Francisco.
Compare the two cities' skylines, airports, convention centers, financial institutions, tourist activity, medical research and treatment facilities, arts activity (yes, that too is an economic enngine), public transportation infrastructure, etc."
How do those apply to economics? People in the valley have tons of disposable income and they go to games more than tourists do. Companies buy suites; art galleries do not.
Besides, San Francisco already has a team. This is about Oakland and San Jose. Despite the OAFC desperate piggybacking on San Francisco's glory, the two cities are not intertwined. In fact, it is the San Francisco Giants trying to bleed the A's out of the area and the San Francisco Chronicle writing daily on crime in Oakland.