The Daily Review Online


Leaders needed to get A's ballpark built


WE finally have what public officials and this newspaper have asked for, a price estimate and proposed site for a new home for the Oakland A's.
Now we need someone -- or some entity -- to step forward and lead the public effort to finance, plan and build such a ballpark.

Erecting a new stadium for the perennial American League contender has to be a public effort involving the team, Oakland and Alameda County officials, business communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and citizens, not just baseball fans. Without an extensive, coordinated effort involving each element, keeping a Major League Baseball franchise in the East Bay could fail. It could be a failure we all regret.

A report prepared by Lew Wolff, A's vice president of development, says the team is willing to invest as much as $100 million in a new ballpark. It identifies the northwest corner of the Coliseum complex as the most logical spot for such a facility, given the death of the dream to build a ballpark in downtown Oakland.

Two crucial questions are: Will taxpayer resistance to spending public money on such a project remain as immutable as it has been the past few years? And where will the city, county and A's find another $300 million to build the $400 million stadium and parking?

The Coliseum Authority already owns the land, eliminating a major cost. But many obstacles remain, including how a new ballpark might affect the other two major sports franchises at the Coliseum complex, the Oakland Raiders and the Golden State Warriors.

Wolff, who has an option to buy part of the team if he finds a site, also indicated that managing partner Steve Schott and the other A's owners don't intend to move to San Jose or Santa Clara County if the Oakland effort fails. Instead, if you believe them, the team could be sold and moved to Las Vegas, Portland, Washington, D.C., or some other new home.

Financing a new stadium necessitates a private-public partnership. But, as Joe Haraburda, president of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce said, Wolff's proposal should get the "creative juices ... flowing."

A major hurdle is a lack of leadership on the issue. Mayor Jerry Brown shows little interest. Most other public officials lack his stature and clout, although Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente hopes to succeed Brown and state Senator Don Perata is mentioned as a potential point-person.

Frankly, someone or some entity must become a catalyst for the effort to build a ballpark if it is to be successful. Leadership by committee has pitfalls, but may be necessary if no individual emerges. And ultimately it's a decision East Bay citizens and businesses must support if it's to be successful.

Business must provide both leadership and financial support. The same goes for the general public -- 8,000 season tickets aren't enough. Citizens and fans must invest in the A's and its new playground. It should be a "people's park" in fact, if not in name.

A new stadium is essential. The A's are one of only three baseball teams sharing a facility with a pro football team. The Coliseum is 38 years old, is aging, and was diminished as a ballpark with the addition of "Mount Davis."

The A's have provided us with a starting point. Let the negotiations, planning and pursuit of financing -- finally -- begin.