Lew Wolff opening the door to dialogue on Coliseum City? (San Jose: 2014, construction)

[sav858]

Originally Posted by jade408

I don't want the park to be seen as some big huge savior. I am only in support if investors pay, I don't want another PSL fiasco......

But right now al the talk is around the potential park, and nothing else about what is planned in the surrounding area. The only time Howard Terminal is discussed is when they want a sports team there. I am skeptical for both Coliseum City and Howard Terminal, as it only seems like discussions are around stadiums.

Well I would more use "catalyst" rather than "savior" as the area is already improving overall. Generally these type of ballparks are developed and planned independently from any new residential or commercial development in the area so I'm not sure why you would expect that to be part of the stadium plan. Unlike the coliseum this area has many different property owners that could choose to redevelop their property as opposed to one big massive redevelopment. A lot of what's around AT&T and Petco were not part of any stadium plan. Once the stadium is approved I'm sure various redevelopment projects would be proposed. Pretty sure Coliseum City had a ton of other redevelopment stuff included in the plans too as the renderings show that .

[jade408]

Originally Posted by sav858

Well I would more use "catalyst" rather than "savior" as the area is already improving overall. Generally these type of ballparks are developed and planned independently from any new residential or commercial development in the area so I'm not sure why you would expect that to be part of the stadium plan. Unlike the coliseum this area has many different property owners that could choose to redevelop their property as opposed to one big massive redevelopment. A lot of what's around AT&T and Petco were not part of any stadium plan. Once the stadium is approved I'm sure various redevelopment projects would be proposed. Pretty sure Coliseum City had a ton of other redevelopment stuff included in the plans too as the renderings show that .

I'd like to see more of the plan. Right now it feels like we are hanging our hats on this park before bothering to look at the plan. Let's be honest, I haven't seen any talk of any sort of development in this area besides the park.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by jade408

I'd like to see more of the plan. Right now it feels like we are hanging our hats on this park before bothering to look at the plan. Let's be honest, I haven't seen any talk of any sort of development in this area besides the park.

Probably because there isn't currently any reason to redevelop parcels immediately adjacent to Howard Terminal. A ballpark clearly gives a reason.

[Stephen1110]

Originally Posted by CityGuy88

No, MLB is rejecting Lew Wolff because of the Giants' territorial rights to the South Bay; NOT because they have an affinity for the City of Oakland or disdain for the City of San Jose.

Actually, MLB prefers the Howard Terminal site over Coliseum City.

[CityGuy88]

Originally Posted by Stephen1110

Actually, MLB prefers the Howard Terminal site over Coliseum City.

....which has nothing to do with why the A's are not in San Jose. And while you're right, MLB (or more accurately, their "Blue Ribbon Committee") does prefer Howard Terminal over the Coliseum City site, that still doesn't mean they favor Oakland over SJ. It just means they favor the Giants over the A's (which is why the Giants' territorial rights remain in effect).

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by CityGuy88

....which has nothing to do with why the A's are not in San Jose. And while you're right, MLB (or more accurately, their "Blue Ribbon Committee") does prefer Howard Terminal over the Coliseum City site

And quite frankly Howard Terminal from the standpoint of ambience and the potential to be iconic and a destination, is better than any location in San Jose imo.

that still doesn't mean they favor Oakland over SJ. It just means they favor the Giants over the A's (which is why the Giants' territorial rights remain in effect).

This^ is pure speculation on your part. We don't know the intricacies of MLBs decision at all, only that they were not satisfied with the proposal to move the team to SJ. And that this was Selig's 'final decision' on that proposal.

Perhaps the BRC did their due diligence and came to the conclusion that much of Lew Wolff's claims have been bogus all along. I dunno. But then, neither do you.

[CityGuy88]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

And quite frankly Howard Terminal from the standpoint of ambience and the potential to be iconic and a destination, is better than any location in San Jose imo.

Yes, in your opinion. As a native Oaklander, I think it's a great location too, but some of us don't let "ambience" overtake rationality, which is why I have many reservations about the viability of the Howard Terminal site.

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

I dunno. But then, neither do you.

LOL, I think I've proven I know WAY more about this than you. While you get excited every time a news article is released with the most minute hint that Lew Wolff may possibly be interested in Oakland, I question everything about a guy who would've left Oakland years ago if he could've.

Oh, and you're welcome! I revived your once very dead thread....

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by CityGuy88

Yes, in your opinion.

Yes, I am very happy to state my opinion as my opinion, not as fact or 'truth'(LOL) like you.

As a native Oaklander

Who cares? You repeat this so much I don't really believe it but play along because your amusing.

I think it's a great location too, but some of us don't let "ambience" overtake rationality, which is why I have many reservations about the viability of the Howard Terminal site.

Well, there are people with much deeper pockets than the depths of your rationality who have publically expressed their desire to spend $500 Million to build a baseball stadium at Howard Terminal.

You keep pretending like no one is willing to put up money for HT. In fact, Don Knauss already said so, publically.

So, anything else on this or are you clear?

LOL, I think I've proven I know WAY more about this than you.

Actually you haven't really proven anything except you appear to have some sort of chip on your shoulder, and really you know NOTHING more than what news articles have stated-except you add your own speculation, which is your prerogative, have at it, but no one else has to go along. fyi.

While you get excited every time a news article is released with the most minute hint that Lew Wolff may possibly be interested in Oakland, I question everything about a guy who would've left Oakland years ago if he could've.

Yes, and he's still here because Major League Baseball rejected his plan to move the team. Sorry that appears to have upset you so.

[CityGuy88]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Who cares? You repeat this so much I don't really believe it but play along because your amusing.

Who cares what you believe? I know I'm from Oakland and probably know more about the city than you. There must be something real sour in the air up in Montclair. LOL!

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Well, there are people with much deeper pockets than the depths of your rationality who have publically expressed their desire to spend $500 Million to build a baseball stadium at Howard Terminal.

HAHA! Too bad those "people" don't own the A's, nor have the attention or dedication of the actual owners. LOL!

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

You keep pretending like no one is willing to put up money for HT. In fact, Don Knauss already said so, publically.

So, anything else on this or are you clear?

Then why isn't Don Knauss getting the site cleaned and prepared and ballpark ready then? Oh yeah, because his $500 million can't be put to use without the participation of Oakland A's ownership.

Seriously, that's like me pointing out a house located in Emeryville to a potential buyer who wants a house in San Leandro and saying: "even though you have no interest in this Emeryville house, I have $600,000 to pay for this house because I think it's better than the one in San Leandro, even though you've already said you preferred San Leandro over Emeryville, and have given me reasons why Emeryville doesn't work." Don Knauss may prefer Howard Terminal, but if Wolff & Co. keep saying "no, thanks", what exactly can Don Knauss do?

Contrary to what you may believe, I'm actually an avid A's fan who grew up going to dozens of games every season at the Coliseum. No one is in favor of the A's staying in Oakland more than I am. I just happen to be smart enough to know that it takes A LOT more than saying "here is a (potential) ballpark site; here is $500 million. Now build, build, build!" without first acknowledging all the challenges and environmental hurdles (which I've mentioned in previous posts) that will need to be taken care of before HT can be considered legit.

[Natural510]

While I'm certainly not in favor of taxpayers getting screwed like they were after the Raiders' return (or more recently, down in Miami), there would be a civic benefit to a "Clorox Field" at HT. JLS has been a prime destination for years, with nothing more to show for it than a cineplex, Yoshi's and a couple old-school waterfront restaurants. An A's ballpark would reinvigorate the waterfront area with sports bars, memorabilia shops, more restaurants, etc which would make it a year-round destination. And let's not kid ourselves into thinking it will magically happen on its own just because other Oakland neighborhoods are improving...right now, it's Baltimore's Inner Harbor circa 1980s at best.
Lew Wolff is getting up there in age, and he can only take this San Jose fight so far. Does he have an heir who has an interest in carrying the torch for another decade while the team rots in the Coliseum? Or will he and Fischer sell to an interested party who may have the means to get it done in the A's hometown?