OAKLAND (KRON) — Could the A’s be moving to Oakland’s waterfront?
That is the question many are asking now that the team has confirmed it will be touring the Howard Terminal site on Thursday.
Are the Oakland A’s days playing at the Coliseum numbered? That remains to be seen, but the A’s confirm co-owner John Fisher will be touring the Howard Marine Terminal on Thursday to see if it’s a viable option for a new stadium
“This is really encouraging for A’s fans and Oaklanders because the A’s are getting serious about building a new ballpark,” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said. “They are definitely exploring options, but only options in Oakland.”
Schaaf said she and other city officials will not be part of the tour, but just the A’s and representatives from the Port of Oakland.
“These are technical workers from the Port of Oakland that understand engineering soil conditions, the legal constraints on the land,” Schaaf said. “It’s a very much of a working meeting.”
The Howard Terminal sits just blocks from Jack London Square along Oakland’s Embarcadero. Four massive cranes are the center point of the terminal now, but A’s fans said they are happy to see them replaced by home plate.
Some have raised concerns about public transit and parking near the location, and while the mayor admits there will be challenges, it remains her top choice as well
“I think it would enliven Jack London Square,” Schaaf said. “It would show off Oakland’s beautiful waterfront, and it would be more walkable for a lot of folks that work downtown, so they don’t have to drive to sporting events.”