Fremont officials have been grumbling louder in recent weeks about the A’s delays in getting the development application in. FWIW I’m glad. They’ve expressed this frustration to any media person who asks – including me. I don’t know if it will get the app in more quickly, but it can’t hurt to put feet to the fire. Both the City and the A’s have remained professional and cordial throughout.

In today’s East Bay Business Times article by David Goll, Lew Wolff admits that the team’s in “the tortoise phase”:

Wolff himself admits he’s in “the tortoise phase” of his plan, anticipating up to 18 months for the city’s planning and review process to unfold once he submits a formal proposal. He also foresees spending $20 million to $30 million for a detailed design for the entire development and, assuming the Fremont City Council gives his plans a green light, about two years for construction of the stadium.

Fremont’s economic development director Daren Fields gave his opinion on when he thinks the ballpark could open: 2012. I think it can still happen in 2011, but if the application isn’t submitted in the next few weeks an April 2011 opening date could certainly be in jeopardy.