Saw this tweet come across the internets:
No surprise here. Ever since Mayor Chuck Reed’s failed bluff, the City has had this stance regarding the referendum. What this means is a potential June 2012 vote, now that the state legislature has pushed back the upcoming primary from its previous February date. In all likelihood, that’s the last possible date for a ballpark vote in order to afford enough prep time for a Winter 2012/2013 groundbreaking and an April 2015 Opening Day. November 2012 could also be a possibility, but only if every other step such as demolition were either completed or well underway.
Of course, there’s the remote possibility that no referendum will be required. If the A’s were to buy all of Diridon land and pay for the Autumn Parkway project, I suspect that the city attorney will rule that no referendum is necessary. If the A’s don’t pay for Autumn Parkway, chances are that a referendum will be needed – even though the project would impact more than just the ballpark. Call it a hunch.
Keep in mind that we still haven’t heard what the status is of the remaining land buys. By not acting on a referendum now, the City can wait up to a full year to do the remaining acquisitions, even if they require eminent domain.
newballpark.org 
No surprise. Selig told SJ to sit down, shut up, and wait their turn. And that’s exactly what a smart city would do if they wanted the team. You don’t antagonize the people you’re trying to lure to your fair city.
We’ve gotten so used to be in this limbo, that it’s going to feel really strange once a decision is actually made.
…anybody think there’s some positive behind-the-scenes developments going on re: A’s-to-San Jose that led to this?.
…FWIW, in addition to the Giants having Giants ads all over the Light Rail trains running through downtown San Jose, they also have a big billboard right at the edge of the arena parking lot – about 500 yards from where the ballpark would go. Why don’t they just come out and admit it: “We want to keep San Jose minor league forever because we are making piles and piles of $$$ this way and don’t care what the people of San Jose want.”
C’mon pjk! The Giants are paying for said advertisements. VTA or city aren’t going to say no to that revenue, even if the team doesn’t really care for SJ. “Of course, there’s the remote possibility that no referendum will be required.” Music to my ears RM! However, in nearly 7 years of “knowing you,” in this instance I have to respectfully say that you are wrong re: Autumn Parkway (it took a lot for me to do this). SJ Muni Code states clearly a voter referendum is ONLY necessary if taxpayer funds go towards actual construction of a venue +5,000 patrons (in this case, the ballpark). It says nothing about surrounding infrastructure developments, including roadways that have been planned with or without a ballpark in mind. In short, A’s buy Diridon plots + privately finance ballpark = NO VOTE! Agree wholeheartedly with your second post pjk.
Nice – more time for Oakland …
@Tony D. – Technically that’s correct, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they used the vote to make sure they’re in the clear politically with a voter mandate. Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal, but given the ongoing battles over the budget, it’s a safe way to go. I’d rate it 50/50 chance they’d require a vote just for the infrastructure at this point.
@PJK If it makes you feel any better Giants ads are all over the East Bay too, including the billboard across the freeway from the O.Co.
@David–agreed, more time for Oakland. A lot of catching up to do for the Town, but I’m still optimistic that they’ll get their shot.
…more time for Oakland to stall, perhaps. EIR process already being drawn out far longer than it was supposed to.
David,
That was sarcasm, right?
@TonyD–i don’t think it was sarcasm from David. We’re still holding out hope, us in the Oakland camp. And you guys on the SJ side are too for your city.
The Giants seriously bought a billboard across from the Coliseum in addition to the one at the SJ stadium site? What dicks…
@Dan–maybe the A’s should put one near AT&T?
ML, does the Diridon EIR have a certain shelf life? If this process were to drag on for a few more years, is there the possibility that the EIR would need to be updated, and recertified?
@fc – There is no stated shelf life for an EIR. However, remember that the original was certified in 2006 and had a supplemental EIR attached to it and certified in 2009. That was done to cover different scenarios. I can’t conceive of a new scenario at the Diridon site that would require another supplemental EIR or a new one.
@ Dan, jk-usa, re: Giants billboards: I’m reminded of a July 4th game in the mid-2000’s (2004?) A’s at Giants and the sailboat in McCovey’s Sewer with the huge “Zero Splash Hits/4 World Titles” sail. If we can’t take it we better not dish it out.
I think the writings on the wall. San Jose is dying/dead already.
Dino, how so? If anything SJ no longer feeling they need to push means they’re getting in line with what MLB wants and MLB’s plans. They wouldn’t do so if MLB was giving up on them.
I agree with Dino Jr. I think MLB has given up on SJ. The city should sell that land they’ve been banking for LW all these years to developers, to help the city budget, get cops back on the streets and restoring city services they’ve cut so deeply. Tampering with another town’s team is just wrong anyways, especially knowing that that it’s off limits because of the G’s TR’s..
@jk – Selig is the devil. I’m not counting any eggs …
@David–I know he is. Selig knowing LW for 130 years doesn’t help either, but I’m still holding out hope for the Town.
Complete denial must be a horrible feeling.
Of course the Oakland-only folks hope this means the San Jose project is dying. People believe what they want to believe. But what do we have in Oakland? An EIR process that was supposed to take less than a year is now taking more than that just for the preliminary draft. Instead of action, it’s feet-dragging and stall, stall, stall by Oakland. For the trillionth time: San Jose losing does not mean Oakland winning. The issues of Oakland having no viable site, no $$ and a lack of corporate support for a privately funded ballpark remain. .. Also, Oakland’s city budget problems (laying off cops, struggling to keep libraries open, grounding the police helicopter) are at least as bad as San Jose and Oakland needs public funding for a ballpark while San Jose does not. ..A few fans hanging a “Hew Lew – Build it at Victory Court” banner in the rightfield bleachers doesn’t suddenly make the project viable.
@tonyd–you know what we know at this point. NOTHING. All speculation there, bro.
TO JK-USA:
Are you going to tonight’s Raiders game?
A’s observer.
@pjk–where’s all the love for LW at the Coliseum from the pro-SJ side? How come you and TonyD aren’t hanging up signs in LF saying “We love you Lew”, or “Build it in SJ and they will come.” ? When MLB sees that I’m sure they’ll pick SJ in a heartbeat.
@A’s Oberver–i told you on the other thread that I have to work tonight, but might see the A’s tomorrow.
I won’t link to it here, but Rangers pitcher CJ Wilson looks like another player who would never come to Oakland. See the story at ESPN.com
@pjk–i read that about CJ. What a POS. I’m hating this Texas team more than ever now. I’ll root for the Angels instead of these pukes.
re: How come you and TonyD aren’t hanging up signs in LF saying “We love you Lew”,
…Because I have a 10-year-old with me at the games and have to deal with him. I don’t have time to decorate and hang banners. .And once again, it’s hard for San Jose to get enthusiastic when MLB has given us no reason to (yet). It’s like asking why San Jose hasn’t had a Stanley Cup Parade to celebrate the Sharks; well, they haven’t won it yet.
CJ Wilson sounds like he’s been listening to Lew Wolff.
@Tony D – If anything, you are consistent … Go Raiders!
@jk- you don’t see those signs because there is little to no public interest in SJ community to move the A’s. There’s the 530 people on Facebook… the SVLG, but the average fan is not on that boat. Its the same neglect strategy used to kill the Expos. And it won’t work.
C’mon David,
You’re an educated professional…YOU’RE BETTER THAN THIS POST! (I hope).
GO RAIDERS!
@JK-Proponents of SJ don’t have to waste their time with useless signs, name-calling or any other type of propaganda to build their case for an A’s move. Instead they can point to a definitive site location, a completed EIR (certified in 06 & re-certified in 09), the backing of the city, the backing of the SVLG implying a strong Corp base, a naming rights deal, etc.
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If you want to champion why Oakland “deserves” the A’s that’s fine. In many ways I agree. However, for you to keep saying that “Oakland will hopefully GET their shot”, BS, their shot is and has been RIGHT NOW and like what’s already been discussed in other threads is, at least based on publicly available information, they aren’t making much progress/movement. It surprises me you aren’t more annoyed with Oak’s pace and writing the leaders of this VC stadium push to make more progress or inform you & other Oakland proponents.
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CJ Wilson probably shouldn’t have yapped his mouth as much as he did, but at the same time, takes a lot to be honest. Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, much of what he said about the Coli is true and at least it brings more attention to our situation. Regardless, I hope the A’s light him up.
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@Dino, you’re just trying to stir the pot and get a rise outta people. Stop being a troll.
…Just get the A’s to San Jose and you’ll see the fabulous support. For reference, see: San Jose Sharks are sold-out rock stars nightly for years. We know what kind of support the A’s have in the East Bay right now: ranked 29th out of 30 teams in attendance. A couple months ago, I said the A’s then-ranking of 26th or so was skewed high because of the Giants, Yankees, Red Sox having already been to town. Looks like I was right.
@pjk – Believe me I’m not trying to start anything but I just want to understand something. A common theme from the SJ-crowd is always in reference to ranking last in attendance, etc. If I didn’t know anything else, I would read these comments as if the consumer is to blame. I’m wondering if that is what the implication is when you guys say these things? In other words the people in charge of the business are the victims and it’s really the consumers that have ruined things. Is that the true belief?
Problem is MLB will not let Oakland be privately financed for the simple reason Selig does not want a team in debt that sucks money out of revenue sharing. A privately financed ballpark will not work in Oakland as the A’s will have debt service and will receive revenue sharing checks…A bad combo.
We all know he wants a “handout” for ballparks and in the Bay Area he is not getting one period. This hurts the A’s in MLBs eyes big time.
MLB looks at the Bay Area as a bad market right now with 2 teams. They want to make $$. Right they make a ZERO from this market…..Not good at all. All other 2 team markets, both teams contribute to revenue sharing except this one.
MLB will not build in Oakland period…..Why subsidize a team that sucks revenue sharing $$ all day long?? Unless Oakland builds it for free there is no hope there….A privately financed ballpark will never happen in the East Bay.
San Jose will never happen either even though it makes sense from the naked eye. The Giants have won, can someone please explain to me why Selig ignores the Mayor, SVLG, and the requests for a ballot measure?
Why move the A’s to San Jose when you can make more $$ moving them somewhere else? Simple math guys.
A smart man would hedge his bets and keep San Jose going until the end. Right now Selig is not interested in San Jose nor Oakland at all. 879 days of inaction tells you that.
Selig has another plan in store for the A’s. There is no way MLB is going to be meet the 2015 deadline for a new place in either Oakland or San Jose.
I hate to be the pessimist in the room, but there is a “rat” in the room and its Selig.
Certainly, financiers would think twice and three times about building a $500 mill, privately funded ballpark in a place that has had a tradition of weak attendance, weak suite sales and weak corporate support. In the Giants case, they pointed to the strong TV ratings as evidence of strong interest in a team that just needed a new ballpark. Not sure that formula works for the A’s in Oakland…Of course, Oakland-only folks tell us that pointing out the A’s weak attendance is wrong and that the Sharks’ sterling attendance is irrelevant.
Dirty nailed it! (sound of Tony D. applauding loudly).
Sid, you say these things on this site and others but the fact remains, where would the A’s move? No other city is currently ready for a baseball team, nor have any cities shown any desire lately for a baseball team.
@Tony D – My skills in the classroom have nothing to do with my fanaticism for the Oakland A’s, Raiders or GSWarriors. What do you do to pay for tickets?
David,
I work for SCCo. I’ll never question your fanaticism brah; so please don’t judge San Jose or South Bay community interest in the A’s based on some FB number or lack of “sign” at the Coliseum. I know many a SJ resident (family, co-workers, etc) who look forward to A’s baseball downtown, and they don’t belong to any FB group or post on this blog. That is all.
CJ Wilson is a moron. Nobody asked his opinion and he can go eff himself.
June/November 2012 Vote!(if Needed) Another year!This is more than ridiculous. Any other location and a MLB decision would of been made long ago. Everyone just wants to know one way or another. A lot of us have been in belief that he intends not to make a decision at all and hope the A’s move.What kind of loser put’s his friends,collegues,cities,fans,builders on hold like this year after year. He is up to something and it doesn’t include San Jose or Oakland. It can’t just be that it is only because he doesn’t want to offend the Giants….If he says San Jose than things start falling into place for a move to San Jose.. .If he says we are waiting on the Victory Court EIR, than we know Oakland is also being considered. He doesn’t say anything! Wolff is being awfully patient.
CJ Wilson..another idiotic Ranger and that team has more than a few of them. I had to root for the Giants last year just because I despise that team so.
@ Oakland proponents – still waiting for the HOW and not the why…../crickets still chirping
As for CJ, I will most likely be there on Friday and you bet I’m going to give him an earful….F’ him….