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Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by jk-usa

jk-usa — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:00:03 +0000

To hijack this thread even further, how many of you pro-San Jose/anti-Oakland guys actually live in San Jose, since this proposed park will be coming out of your pockets? You gang up on me because I’m not an Oakland resident, but have no prob if SJ gets stuck footing a chunk of the bill.
Signed: Pollyanna Luddite (ML’s name for me)

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by Tony D.

Tony D. — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:09:01 +0000

Old Blue,
I agree with you that San Carlos Street, especially between 87 and Bird Avenue, could become a really happening place near the ballpark; especially if the Discovery Museum light-rail station becomes the primary LR stop for fans coming out of South San Jose.
Jeffrey,
hijacking this thread further; I’m sure Wolff has his frat brothers “blessing” for all of this rendering/hiring 360 Architecture stuff.

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by Marine Layer

Marine Layer — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:43:51 +0000

@old blue – I suppose a bar/restaurant could be built as part of an expanded train station for HSR, but for the existing station? There’s no room. The snack bar there is the size of a closet, which makes sense given that the main depot building is only slightly larger than a tennis court.

Spot on observations about having skin in the game. It means something. Redevelopment money isn’t free.

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by old blue

old blue — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:39:13 +0000

@jk-usa: Hate to tell you this, but where you live actually matters a whole bunch. It matters when it comes to money. You, someone who doesn’t actually pay taxes in Oakland, are all over the idea of the Oakland taxpayers putting up millions of bucks so you don’t have to drive so far for a ball game. You remind me of the people from Campbell, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, et al, who wrote impassioned letters to the Mercury News 20 years ago about how great it would be for San Jose to build a ballpark for the Giants. I, and many other actual taxpaying residents of San Jose, gave due consideration to the input from people who wouldn’t have to pay anything for the new ballpark they so fervently desired, and then voted it down. This highlights the problem with suburbia and our system of government: people who live in suburbs actually think they live in the city involved. Until it comes to paying taxes.

If you ain’t got skin in the game, your opinion doesn’t mean very much. You do know that any city where the A’s finally end up will incur somewhat of a financial penalty, don’t you? As Marine Layer notes, if you like Oakland that much, move there and help pay for the stadium you want. Otherwise, don’t you feel just a little bit awkward in being so vociferous in demanding that Oakland residents pay the price for your entertainment? You’re not an Oakland guy at all. Why would you really care? Do you have civic pride for Oakland when you live in Hayward? And one wonders why you’re so upset about the proposed move. Look on the bright side: you’ll have a counter-commute.

Back on topic, I like these sketches, although I’m hesitant about some of the outfield dimensions. I especially like the idea of a ballpark with 38K capacity. Always felt that 32K was insufficient. 38K is good. BTW, Marine Layer, has anyone ever mentioned, say, putting a bar/restaurant in the train station? Or exploring development opportunities, to include a parking garage, on San Carlos Street? That’s an old commercial corridor that’s actually as close to the proposed ballpark location as Market Street. I think that could turn out to be a happening area.

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by Marine Layer

Marine Layer — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:32:36 +0000

@Moe – The only people cutting and pasting are those who lazily stuck a line drawing of PNC Park in three spots in Oakland. That’s textbook.

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by daveinsm

daveinsm — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:18:03 +0000

Found this on espn just now.

didn’t know we were going to get a 65K stadium =P

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5544286

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by jeffrey

jeffrey — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:43:31 +0000

And the thread hijack is complete… sorry ML. Your analysis is badass as usual.

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by jeffrey

jeffrey — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:42:07 +0000

To play Oakland’s advocate… Why would Lew Wolff do this? Because he wants to create the perception that this is a done deal, perhaps. Amongst fans, amongst other owners, within the office of the commish… Just sayin…

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by Tony D.

Tony D. — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:35:27 +0000

The architect hiring might be the best news we’ve ever heard on this nightmare. Does it telegraph that the A’s will be given the OK to come to San Jose? Keep those fingers crossed, call The 700 Club prayer lines, light a candle at church, whatever it takes. Why would Wolff do this if nothing good was up?

My thoughts exactly pjk! It probably didn’t take much in the past to have 360 draw up renderings/concepts; but to now actually design/engineer the ballpark? Like I stated previously, things could be getting serious now; stay tuned!

Comment on Diridon Capacity Estimates by Moe A's

Moe A's — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:22:30 +0000

Ok, so once again, this site is dreaming about the impossible. Its amazing what one can do with the power of computer technology. Cut and Paste all day long!!!