Legal Ruling Favors Oakland A’s $12B Ballpark Project

Another hurdle for the Oakland A’s proposed $12 billion ballpark on the Howard Terminal waterfront has been cleared.

In April, lawsuits were filed against the team by local organizations, alleging the plan’s 4,000-page Environmental Impact Report — approved by the Oakland City Council in February — didn’t represent proper environmental standards under the California Environmental Quality Act.

On Thursday, Alameda Superior Court judge Ronald Seligman rejected the claims.

• Seligman approved of the city’s decision to not build the stadium at the site of the A’s existing one. 
• In response to concerns over waterfront traffic due to home run balls, Seligman highlighted that the nearest water would be 700 feet away — farther than any Major League player has ever hit one.

Lawsuits were filed by the East Oakland Stadium Alliance, Union Pacific Railroad, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the International Longshore, and Warehouse Union, among others. 

The organizations are reportedly considering an appeal, and Oakland still needs to negotiate a final deal with the A’s, including potential taxing districts.

The A’s have also reportedly bid on multiple Las Vegas sites.

Ballpark Features

The Howard Terminal development would include a 35,000-seat ballpark, housing units, office and retail space, hotel rooms, a performance center, and new parks.

“Today’s order proves that the waterfront project, which will bring 18 acres of new public parks … will be built to California’s highest and most rigorous environmental standards,” said Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf.