A parcel of land owned by the Peralta Community College District in Oakland has "strong appeal" for A's execs for a new ballpark, as the site's advantages include "sweeping views of Lake Merritt, proximity to BART and just enough land to create the 'vibrant, urban ballpark village' that A’s President Dave Kaval has in mind," according to Kimberly Veklerov of the S.F. CHRONICLE. PCCD Chancellor Jowel Laguerre has "come around to the idea in a big way, brainstorming how the ballpark could provide workforce training for students." But PCCD would need to be "persuaded to sell or lease the parcel and uproot its district offices." Laguerre said, "The A’s are in the business of hiring people, and we’re in the business of developing people, so it makes sense to have these conversations.” Veklerov noted Laguerre’s ideas include "culinary students interning with stadium concessions, multimedia students with the scoreboard graphics team, police academy students with ballpark security, and design students with the merchandise team." It would ultimately be up to the PCCD BOT, "some of whom have been involved in the discussions, to approve any land deals." The PCCD spot is "one of three potential ballpark locations under consideration" in Oakland. Kaval "won’t say which of the three locations" A’s Managing Partner John Fisher and other team officials favor (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/8).
DETAILS PLEASE: In S.F., Scott Ostler wrote under the header, "Fans Need Clarity On Oakland's Coming Coliseum Replacement." Ostler: "A polite request to the Oakland A's: When you make the announcement on your plans for a new ballpark, an announcement you promised to deliver this year (I'm hearing August), don't go all chintzy on the info. Along with the location ... please tell us when the construction will begin and when the park will open. ... Please tell us who will pay for the new ballpark. Will it be current owner John Fisher, or the Next Owner Up?" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/6).
