A’s Present Ballpark Village Plan To Fremont City Council

A's Unveil Ballpark Village Plan  At Fremont City Council Meeting

The A’s publicly presented the site plan for their planned Cisco Field to the Fremont City Council on Tuesday, providing a “more detailed glimpse of their proposed ballpark village,” according to Chris De Benedetti of the OAKLAND TRIBUNE.  The A’s envision a “pedestrian-friendly mixed-use development” similar to the neighborhoods surrounding Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.  A’s investor Keith Wolff, the son of Owner Lew Wolff, said, “We want the ballpark to be surrounded by retail and residential.  We don’t want a sea of parking around it.”  De Benedetti notes the plan proposes 520,000 square feet of commercial space adjacent to the ballpark, and would include a hotel, restaurant, movie theater and “several parking garages of varying sizes.”  The plan also calls for 2,900 homes, which would be built in phases.  But despite the new details, “many questions remain” such as who will own Cisco Field and how traffic and transit issues will be resolved (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/25).  In San Jose, Barry Witt writes the plan was met with “decidedly mixed reviews," prompting Lew Wolff to "promise changes will be made before he submits a development application.”  City Council member Anu Natarajan “declared her disappointment with the densities, walkability and lack of concern for environmental principles in the residential portion.”  In response, Wolff said, “We hear you loud and clear.  It’s not done yet” (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/25).