Showing posts with label san jose A's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san jose A's. Show all posts

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Two San Jose Petitions

Today I would like to plug two change.org petitions floating around related to San Jose. The first is a petition to save the Mount Umunhum Radar Tower pictured below, which is a historical remnant from the cold war. The current plan is to tear down down all buildings on site before converting this area to public use, with the potential exception of this tower if enough people speak out. We do not have many physical icons or landmarks in the south bay, so if you want to fight to save this one just head over here.

The second one is entitled "San Francisco Giants stop holding San Jose Hostage: Give San Jose back to the A's so MLB and the city of San Jose can thrive." Yup, I think that title pretty much sums it up. You can sign this one right here.

Hat tip to John for submitting these two.
Save the Mt. Umunhum Radar Tower

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Wednesday Wishlist: North San Pedro Ballpark

Today's Wednesday Wishlist comes courtesy of one of our readers, Anthony Dominguez. I think he makes some valid points and I'm sure we can all agree that the closer the ballpark is to the downtown core, the better. I'm sure we'll have a lot of discussion on this one, so as always post your feedback in the chat =).

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Back in March of 2009, Rhamesis Muncada (aka Marinelayer at the A's new ballpark blog) stated to readers that the current Diridon Site might not be the only one considered for a future A's ballpark.  Talk about a teaser!  At the time many of us simply stated "huh?" and threw out all the usual suspects in terms of past sites considered, i.e. the Fairgrounds, Airport West/FMC, and Berryessa.  I theorized that another possible site for the ballpark could be North San Pedro/Brandenburg (NSP)...and guess what, I was right!
In many ways Josh, NSP would be superior for an A's ballpark than the current choice of Diridon for the following reasons:
1) More foot traffic for San Pedro Square Market/future housing/future retail developments from core downtown parking and future Santa Clara Street BART subway portals.
2) A bit further away from the "NIMBY" noise of Shasta/Hanchett Park and Willow Glen.
3) Easier access from 880 via Coleman Avenue and future Autumn Parkway.  In fact, surface parking for the ballpark could be built just northwest of 87 and Bassett St./UPRR tracks. (see the land plot via Google Earth/Maps).
4) Still within a 15 minute walk of Diridon Station and mere minutes from light-rail at St. James Park.
5) Leaves the Diridon Site open to more lucrative housing, office and retail associated with future Diridon Transit Center.
6) Much less traffic conflict with simultaneous events occuring at HP Pavilion; traffic more spread out through the downtown core.
I've also theorized Josh that perhaps in the future, Lew Wolff and the city of San Jose could do a land swap with Barry Swenson Builders.  Swenson could lease NSP to Lew Wolff/A's for the privately financed ballpark IN EXCHANGE for the city of San Jose leasing the Diridon Site to Swenson for his proposed residential development.  Because of the flight path of SJC, I've always felt that NSP (itself part of the downtown core) would be more conducive for a noise generating sports venue, while Diridon (with it's transit connectivity) more conducive for housing/office/retail.
Why do I feel the parties should consider a site change, considering all the work that's gone into planning for Diridon?  One reason is that Lew Wolff recently stated a ballpark in San Jose wouldn't open now until 2016 at the earliest, a full four years away.  There would still be time to conduct a full (or supplemental) EIR for a NSP ballpark.  Groundbreaking for the ballpark doesn't have to occur until the Spring of 2014 under the new scenario.  Save for a few old buildings, NSP is also clear and ready for construction as well.
Another reason concerns NIMBYS.  Again, NSP is more "downtown core" in flavor, and perhaps residents of nearby condos would welcome a ballpark in their backyard.  I recall some Newballpark commenters (who lived in that area of downtown) stating they would love to have a ballpark at NSP (see increased property values!).  We are already hearing grumblings from the Shasta Hancett/Rose Garden crowd about the possible noise and lights of a Diridon Ballpark.  In my opinion a NSP ballpark would make things much easier for the A's and city in this regard.
Lastly, the referendum issue.  No public vote would be necessary under the scenario of NSP because Lew Wolff/The A's would be dealing with a private land owner in Barry Swenson.  This would cease being an "issue" of the city of San Jose buying land for Lew Wolff and his millionaire sports team.  I also think opposition would die down due to the ballpark now being in the downtown core and away from nearby neighborhoods.
I've included a photoshop illustration (courtesy of Marinelayer) to give you an idea of how a ballpark would fit in at NSP.  In fact, if you "reversed" current images of the proposed Cisco Field it would fit in perfectly at NSP.

Anthony Dominguez (Tony D.)

P.S. One more item on my fantasy North San Pedro ballpark: I would incorporate the "James Square" building, located at the NW corner of Devine and N. Market Streets, into the ballpark site. James Square could be renovated much like the older buildings of the San Pedro Square Market and act as the SE gate/entrance to the ballpark. The building itself could house shops, restaurants/concessions and perhaps have a rooftop terrace for dining/beverage consumption.


Thursday, October 27, 2011

A's Buying Parcels in Downtown San Jose

We're still waiting on a decision from Major League Baseball as to whether the A's can move to San Jose, but that isn't stopping Lew Wolf from acquiring all but 2 parcels required to build the 14 acre stadium. Having ownership of the land will give the commission one less reason to prevent the A's from calling San Jose their home.

Fore more info click here.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Baseball San Jose: What would a downtown ballpark do for San Jose?

The San Pedro Square Market's Steve Borkenhagen tells us how a downtown ballpark would positively impact San Jose:

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Baseball San Jose: City Council Approves Resolution


For Good Measure: San Jose City Council Again Approves Resolution to Bring the A's to Town


















Buoyed by the recent show of Silicon Valley corporate support, the City Council tonight passed another resolution in support of an A's move to San Jose. The vote was unanimous, though clearly, everyone is getting antsy. Councilman Liccardo, noting that Milwaukee recently erected a statute in honor of MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, even jokingly offered to build him a replica in San Jose.

Still, the fact remains that San Jose is admirably positioned to land the A's. Certainly, no other location in the Bay Area can boast such an attractive offer.

You're up to bat, San Jose!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Baseball San Jose: A's Relocation Inevitable


The Biz of Baseball: "Oakland's Relocation into the South Bay is an Inevitability"
















This week, The Biz of Baseball re-ranked their Top Ten Markets for Relocation or Expansion. In it, they looked at those national and international markets most primed for a Major League Baseball team. In their 2008 analysis, San Jose didn't even rank. However, the story is different in 2010.

Here are their latest rankings:
10. Las Vegas, NV
9. Sacramento, CA
8. Nashville, TN
7. Montreal, QC
6. San Antonio, TX
5. Indianapolis, IN
4. Portland, OR
3. Metro New York City, NY
2. Charlotte, NC
1. San Jose, CA

Of an A's move to San Jose, they say:
The most obvious eventual home for the Oakland Athletics, San Jose is the ideal mix of fans and corporate interests. There is enough benefit for both the league and the club to make this deal a question of when, not if. Whether it is Cisco Field or some other iteration, Oakland's relocation into the South Bay is an inevitability.

You're up to bat, San Jose!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Baseball San Jose has NEW A's STADIUM RENDERS!

Our friends over at Baseball San Jose have a killer treat for you today... more stadium renders! My favorites are the first and fourth ones--if you click on them to enlarge, you can get a good feel for the view inside the proposed ballpark. To help make this dream a reality, head on over to Baseball San Jose to find out how you can contribute!



Saturday, August 14, 2010

Baseball San Jose is at the Jazz Festival!

AND, Check out the new render of the proposed stadium below!

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Friday evening, Baseball San Jose took in day one theAT&T San Jose Jazz Festival. It was great to get out and meet the community. We encountered a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to bring the A's to a new home here in Silicon Valley.
















If you are attending the festival, be sure to stop by the booth. You can see just released renders of the stunning proposed stadium (images coming to this site soon). In addition, we will be raffling A's tickets all weekend. Hope to see you there.   












  



You're up to bat, San Jose!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Help Bring Baseball to San Jose Today!

From SJ Metblogs:

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Help bring Major League Baseball to San Jose by attending today’s City Council meeting.
August 3rd · 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

San Jose City Hall Council Chambers
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA

COUNCIL AGENDA
Baseball San Jose facebook

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Good News for the San Jose A's =)

Joann Freda from San Jose Day-by-Day is the first blogger to break the news... the city council approved the EIR tonight for a pro baseball stadium in downtown San Jose! Thanks to everyone that attended the meeting to show their support.

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tuesday, june 15, 2010

The A's May Have Just Moved One Step Closer to San Jose

People leaving the city council meeting tonight

Tonight I attended a city council meeting during which the council voted to certify the environmental impact report concerning a major league baseball stadium in downtown San Jose.  I have been an A's fan for about 28 years, ever since my oldest daughter started earning A's tickets by reading books for the A's reading incentive program.  Tonight the council heard many people speak on concerns about noise, parking, traffic and more.  But the council never lost sight of the immeasurable positive impact a major league baseball team can have on a city.  Go A's! 

Sunday, June 6, 2010

One Less Hurdle for the San Jose A's!

The owners of the Sharks have made it pretty well known that they are not satisfied with the environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed San Jose A's stadium downtown. Their major concern is lack of parking for days in which there would be BOTH hockey and baseball games. Well I found some good news in the San Jose Business Journal today. The owners of the Sharks have come to an agreement with the city where they will be able to build a new parking structure for Sharks fans, even if it comes down to requiring eminent domain to collect the necessary parcels. There are still many challenges in getting the A's to San Jose, but this will be one less roadblock in the way!