Breaking News: Oakland City Council approves Howard Terminal ballpark EIR
Oakland council votes, 6-2, in favor
The Howard Terminal ballpark project passed a major milestone on Thursday night after the Oakland City Council certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed $12 billion waterfront ballpark development.
The council vote was, 6-2, with Councilmembers Noel Gallo and Carroll Fife voting no.
“There clearly is a lot of potential with this project. There’s also a lot at stake,” Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas said.
The 3,500-page EIR had been praised previously by the Oakland Planning Commission before coming to the city council on Thursday night.
Much is to be done before shovels are in the ground for the centerpiece of the project, a 35,000-seat waterfront ballpark for the Oakland Athletics.
“Approving an EIR doesn’t mean we’re done. On the contrary, it means we’re just getting started,” Councilmember Dan Kalb said.
One of the biggest issues remaining is negotiations between the city and A’s for a community benefits agreement that is likely to include a robust affordable housing component.
Bas said late Thursday night that her vote for final approval, possibly later this year, will hinge on whether a sufficient community benefits package is presented to the city council.
Earlier, the Oakland City Council near-unanimously approved a resolution, placed on the agenda earlier this week, that puts in writing their desire for a robust negotiated community benefits agreement. Councilmember Noel Gallo, who represents the Fruitvale area, voted no, citing a doubt the team is truly interested about staying in Oakland.