ESPN: A's likely to stay in Oakland (San Jose: stadium, MLS)

[jade408]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

In its current state I totally agree that JLS has lost out to Uptown and the neighborhoods as far as the ability to attract foot traffic I think primarily because it does feel a little removed from the rest of downtown and the city partly due to the 880 fy but also due to the largely industrial nature of the area north of JLS, namely the port and all).

But a new stadium would definitely energize that area and bring thousands of people into JLS during game times, and that might be enough to attract more retail, more businesses, even more restaurant and entertainment amenities, and perhaps even more housing.

If JLS were as vibrant as the area where ATT is, Id probably move there in a heartbeat and live in a large condo. And I probably attend quite a few A's games too. lol

The real problem is JLS is disconnected. Even with itself. The B shuttle is a good start. But since JLS is mostly individual buildings separated by either sidewalks, or dead zones. Sometimes dead zones that last blocks. It doesn't feel pedestrian friendly.

More lights and streetscape improvements would make a big difference. As it stands now, I don't really like to walk from Chop Bar to Beer Revolution, even though it is only like 4 blocks.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

In its current state I totally agree that JLS has lost out to Uptown and the neighborhoods as far as the ability to attract foot traffic I think primarily because it does feel a little removed from the rest of downtown and the city partly due to the 880 fy but also due to the largely industrial nature of the area north of JLS, namely the port and all).

But a new stadium would definitely energize that area and bring thousands of people into JLS during game times, and that might be enough to attract more retail, more businesses, even more restaurant and entertainment amenities, and perhaps even more housing.

If JLS were as vibrant as the area where ATT is, Id probably move there in a heartbeat and live in a large condo. And I probably attend quite a few A's games too. lol

Some of the areas bordering Petco Park in San Diego would have likely have not redeveloped to what they are today if it wasn't for the Padres. Granted Downtown SD already had the Gaslamp and a fairly vibrant, active Downtown near one end of the park but I feel it was a catalyst for other development that would have not otherwise occured had Petco never been built. Anyone think some of those condo's overlooking Petco would have been built if it overlooked some industrial buildings and MTS' bus/trolley storage yard?

A new ballpark can definitely serve as a catalyst for redevelopment in Downtown Oakland/JLS, especially if you built some sort of BART extension or streetcar connecting JLS to the tranist system..

I think the demand and potential is there. AT&T is expensive and the resaurants and bars there are pricey and almost too crowded before and after a game. I don't see how a new ballpark in Oakland wouldn't attract some of that crowd. Or how that area wouldn't be prime for revelopment considering its no more than 2 BART stops from Downtown SF. New condos offering a view of the ballpark, bay, SF, etc..isn't appealing?

AT&T Park, Petco Park, and Staples Center. Plenty of examples here in CA yet Oakland is somehow so different that it can't pull off something similar.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by jade408

Exactly. My friend (who is an actual a's fan) goes all the time. I would go....but we not for any game that coincides with meal time. Hot dogs and crappy beer aren't my scene. I love going to Pac Bell PArk. I hate baseball.

A new park with reasonable transit options would draw people like me, no question.

If it wasn't for Petco Park I probably would have never gone to as many Padres games as I did. I went to two games at Qualcomm my first 3 years there and who knows how many over the next 6 years. Tickets are relatively easy to get and affordable. It's by transit and there are lots of bars and restuarants in the area. I am a very casual Padres fan and me and a lot of people would go just because it was something fun to do.

Despite my obvious disdain for the Giants, no one can deny they have a great atmosphere and ballpark overall. GReat food and drink vendors there. There are enough people and enough demand for a new A's ballpark to do something similar imo. If it's accessible, realtively affordable, and nice it will draw casual fans easily no matter who they casually root for. The A's have always drawn some Giants fans because it's easy to get tickets and affordable even to this day, with a new ballpark there is no reason to think that won't be the case. They don't need to be breaking any attendance records for a new ballpark to be considered successful, the Padres aren't and people love that park.

And if past attendance was a reason a new park should not be built then the Giants, Marlins, Detroit etc..should have never gotten a new park either. I really don't get how anyone can try to use that argument, the A's are hardly unique in their attendance history and stadium issues. A huge reason behind a new ballpark is draw the fans back and it's worked for many teams.

[micmac99]

If Clorox, Oakland's only Fortune 500 company, were to "buy" the A's in the form of Don Knauss being the managing general partner, my question is, what would the new ballpark be called?

1. I have heard "Cloroxeum" bantered about.

2. The Washtub?

And, yes, it needs to be either Jack London Square or somewhere downtown, and the city needs to make improvements to make it viable so people can walk around and get a bite to eat before the game. This has been done in city after city nationwide an is NOT rocket science, people. Phoenix for crying out loud has sorta-kinda done it with the D-Backs.

[dragontales]

^

If the stadium is ugly or the A's play awful....how about "The Toilet"?

[sav858]

I like alliterative names Clorox Coliseum, Kaiser Coliseum, and Pandora Park. Be great to keep the Coliseum part as that word is synonymous with A's baseball.

I think Pac Bell Park sounded better than AT&T Park. Petco Park has a nice ring to it.

[micmac99]

Originally Posted by sav858

I like alliterative names Clorox Coliseum, Kaiser Coliseum, and Pandora Park. Be great to keep the Coliseum part as that word is synonymous with A's baseball.

I think Pac Bell Park sounded better than AT&T Park. Petco Park has a nice ring to it.

Well, won't fans be confused with the actual Coliseum, which I presume the Raiders will still occupy? (And no, I am NOT in favor of building a new baseball-only stadium on the Coliseum property.)

[sav858]

Originally Posted by micmac99

Well, won't fans be confused with the actual Coliseum, which I presume the Raiders will still occupy? (And no, I am NOT in favor of building a new baseball-only stadium on the Coliseum property.)

Raiders fans will, A's fans won't .

I don't think it will be a big deal, the media usually refers to it by it's proper name anyways, O.co Coliseum at the moment.

I'm not in favor of Coliseum City for the A's either, it's fine for football but there is way more potential in and around Dt Oakland.

[beenhereandthere]

Originally Posted by sav858

It's not a good sign when a team has left for attendance reasons and lack of support.

Based on the fact that the only other MLB team to play in Canada was nearly contracted out of existence.

arge compared to what? Other Canadian metro areas? The area has less people than Sacramento, would call you Sac "large". So you think people in Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton, etc..are going to give a crap about some MLB team in Vancouver? Based on what? Also considering there is only one NBA team for Canada as well it's clearly not that odd.

I

Off topic, but Vancouver and Montreal, well, besides being in Canada, that's about all they have in common.
Vancouver, would be a solid market for a MLB team.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by beenhereandthere

Off topic, but Vancouver and Montreal, well, besides being in Canada, that's about all they have in common.
Vancouver, would be a solid market for a MLB team.

Why?