Oakland, Alameda Co. Enter Negotiating Agreement With Developer That Could Keep Sports Teams In The East Bay
OAKLAND (KCBS)— Oakland City Council members unanimously voted to approve an exclusive negotiating agreement to build the proposed Coliseum City project. It's seen as a major step towards sealing the deal that would keep the Raiders, A's and possibly the Warriors in the East Bay.
Friday's vote was part of a special meeting in which it was decided that New City Development would enter the agreement along with the City of Oakland and Alameda County. The city and the county jointly own and manage the Coliseum site where O.Co Coliseum and Oracle Arena stand.
"This is a necessary step to do what we can do to keep the Raiders and the A's here in our great city and I'm not giving up on the Warriors either," Oakland City Councilman, Dan Kalb said.
The project would cover approximately 800 acres and provide enough space for three new venues.
Interim City Administrator Henry Gardner said East Oakland would be economically revitalized through Coliseum City.
"We believe that this project would be transformative for that area. The property is currently underutilized." Gardner described the project as an ambitious undertaking.
Alameda County Supervisors are now scheduled to address the project. Their approval is necessary for the project to move forward.