Quan talks tough as cities race
- 02.07.11, 19:50
- 59 Comments
The Merc’s Tracy Seipel has the pulse on race to the keep/land the A’s. It appears that Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and Doug Boxer have their talking points in order.
“The reality is that even though you have land,” Quan said of San Jose, “you still have not gotten permission” from Major League Baseball to relocate the A’s to San Jose. “My timeline is less urgent than your timeline,” said Quan.
Apparently Oakland’s timeline is urgent enough that the Victory Court EIR is being fast-tracked for completion in less than 12 months. When was the last time in the Bay Area anything this large got its EIR completed in less than 12 months? Beyond that, there’s still the issue of issuing bonds for the project – which may not be possible after this summer, at least not without a vote.
Despite the numerous questions about Oakland’s ability to compress 2-4 years of work into 12 months, Quan is pushing forward and that is a good thing. It’s best for Oakland and A’s fans to see if anything can come out of this, because the last thing we want right now is one less option.
Experts quoted for the story, namely CSUEB’s Paul Staudohar and Smith College’s Andrew Zimbalist, aren’t so sanguine about Oakland’s chances. In explaining how San Jose is well ahead in the process, Staudohar said:
“So unless Oakland pulls a rabbit out of a hat very soon, it appears they will lose the A’s by default.”
For his part, Lew Wolff relates that Bud Selig wants to look at every angle, which would indicate that Oakland should and will have time to complete the process. Unfortunately for Oakland, this redevelopment crisis may provide the most cruel, unkind cuts to both the schedule and funding. Here’s to Oakland finishing the work, with as few legal and procedural issues as possible.
@David- I went to “Beerfest” last year and the line was so packed it was amazing. The A’s do have some very good promotions such as the $2 dollar tickets and free parking.
Canceling FanFest really is a bummer but who wants to kick it at the Coliseum?
I will say in 2004 I went to a Giants-A’s game at the Coliseum and there was an A’s sponsored tailgate and that thing was a riot. The food and drinks were amazing and the stadium had 50k people in the stands.
It was great seeing Giants and A’s fans talking about how they like both teams but only draw the line in the sand when they play each other. It was good times and it showed to me without a doubt that most people in the Bay Area like both teams but the Giants ballpark puts them way over the top.
The A’s are actually pretty popular all around it is amazing how the owners hate each other but the fans mutually root for each other while the 49ers/Raiders owners get along but the fans hate each other.
Dave: Why are you asking about a SJ election? SJ can’t do anything as long as MLB is too cowardly to do the common-sense thing and let the A’s go to San Jose.
Does anyone know if Oakland has revealed their ballpark consulting group—if they have one? I’d like to know why they’re targeting 39k seat capacity. Is this for the purpose of facilitating any possible future expansion while initial building a 32-35k seat ballpark? Just wondering.
Speak for yourself Sid. I hate the Giants, their fans, and everything about their organization. I daily dream that Pac Bell Park’s foundation will crack and that it slides into that polluted slough ESPN gets all hot and bothered over every year (on an off day of course). And I know I’m not alone on both sides of that equation.
I was with you right up until you said “on an off day”
I didn’t want to advocate anyone’s death ;). Besides I’d rather make Giants fans suffer by making them watch their precious phone booth slide beneath the overrated waters of McCovey Slough.
No death, lots of swimming would be ideal.
I’m with you guys–only 2 teams I like—the A’s and anyone who beats the gints—the visual of ATT slowly slipping below is awesome—of course neukom treading water–or probably laying on his back to keep his frickin bow tie dry– only makes it better
@Dan- I said “most” people like both teams not “all” people.
Simmer down my friend as we are on the same side here. I am a Giants fan first but being from San Jose and a A’s fan I want to see this city get the team.
Of course if Oakland can get it done then I am all for it but the deck is stacked against them due to their own discourse.