A proposed 55-acre mixed-use waterfront development at Howard Terminal in the Port of Oakland, near Jack London Square and within 1 mile of two BART stations. The Oakland Athletics baseball organization proposed the project as part of a plan to build a new 35,000-seat ballpark alongside 3,000 housing units (450 affordable at 15%), 1.5 million sq ft of commercial office space, 270,000 sq ft of retail, a 400-room hotel, an indoor performance venue, and 18.5 acres of public parks. Total estimated project cost: $12 billion. The Draft EIR was released in February 2021. The Oakland City Council certified the Final EIR 6-2 in February 2022. BCDC voted to remove Howard Terminal from port priority designation in June 2022. The California Court of Appeal upheld BCDC's approval in March 2023. Despite clearing these hurdles, the A's and Oakland never reached a signed final development agreement. The sticking point: how to fund approximately $350-$450 million in off-site infrastructure improvements. In April 2023, A's owner John Fisher signed a binding agreement to purchase land near the Las Vegas Strip, effectively ending the project. In a 2024 court settlement, BCDC reversed its 2022 approval, returning Howard Terminal to industrial/port priority. 3,000 housing units were never built. The site remains an active shipping container yard.
| Date | Event | What the record shows |
|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2018 | Site Selection Announced | The Oakland Athletics announce Howard Terminal as their preferred site for a new ballpark following failed efforts at Laney College (Oakland) and San Jose. The A's pitch a mixed-use development including a ballpark, housing, office, and retail on 55 acres of port-adjacent land near Jack London Square. Ballpark Digest: https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/07/17/as-howard-terminal-pitch-draws-opposition-from-port-stakeholders/ |
| July 1, 2019 | Port Industry Opposition Begins | At an Oakland City Council meeting, representatives from the ILWU, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Harbor Trucking Association, and other port industry groups speak out against the project. Core argument: the proposal will interfere with port operations, endanger jobs, and create incompatible land uses. Ballpark Digest: https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/07/17/as-howard-terminal-pitch-draws-opposition-from-port-stakeholders/ |
| February 26, 2021 | Draft EIR Released | The City of Oakland releases the Draft Environmental Impact Report — a document exceeding 10,000 pages, one of the largest EIRs in Oakland's history. It covers the full mixed-use development: ballpark, 3,000 housing units, 1.5M sq ft office, 270K sq ft retail, 18.5 acres of parks, and a 400-room hotel. CBS Bay Area: https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/oakland-unveils-environmental-impact-report-on-as-howard-terminal-stadium-project |
| July 15, 2021 | MLB Commissioner Warns Oakland | MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, speaking at the All-Star Game in Denver, warns that "thinking of relocation to Las Vegas as a bluff is a mistake" and that a negative July 20 City Council vote could "spell the end of baseball in Oakland." Ukiah Daily Journal: https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-ukiah-daily-journal/20210715/281638193214114 |
| July 20, 2021 | City Council Votes 6-1-1 on Non-Binding Term Sheet | The Oakland City Council votes 6-1-1 (Gallo no; Fife abstained) on a non-binding term sheet requiring 15% affordable housing, no general fund money for infrastructure, and a community benefits package. Dave Kaval calls it "a no vote on the project." Both sides say they will continue talking. NOTE: this was NON-BINDING; no final development agreement was ever submitted to council. Oaklandside: https://oaklandside.org/2021/07/21/oakland-city-council-vote-athletics-howard-terminal-ballpark-term-sheet/ |
| January 20, 2022 | Planning Commission Recommends EIR Certification | The Oakland Planning Commission votes to recommend that the City Council certify the Final Environmental Impact Report. Oaklandside: https://oaklandside.org/2022/01/20/as-waterfront-ballpark-plan-passes-first-environment-review-vote/ |
| February 17, 2022 | City Council Certifies Final EIR (6-2) | The Oakland City Council votes 6-2 to certify the Final EIR. Opposed: Noel Gallo (prefers Coliseum site) and Carroll Fife (wants more affordable housing). Mayor Schaaf: "Tonight's vote was a historic moment for Oakland's future... a giant leap forward in our shared mission to create a regional destination that gives back our waterfront to the public." KTVU Fox 2: https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-city-council-certifies-eir-for-as-howard-terminal-ballpark-proposal |
| June 30, 2022 | BCDC Removes Port Priority Designation — Key Win | The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission votes to remove Howard Terminal's "port priority" designation, opening it for mixed-use development. Mayor Schaaf speaks in favor. ILWU president Trent Willis speaks against: "What we are facing here is a land grab and a billionaire's attempt to get access to public resources." Shipping industry groups immediately prepare legal challenges. Oaklandside: https://oaklandside.org/2022/06/30/howard-terminal-ballpark-athletics-bay-conservation-development-commission-vote/ |
| August 1, 2022 | Shipping Industry Files Lawsuit Against BCDC | The East Oakland Stadium Alliance (Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Harbor Trucking Association, ILWU) files a lawsuit challenging BCDC's June 2022 removal of port priority designation. This is one of several legal challenges filed against the project. Ballpark Digest: https://ballparkdigest.com/2022/08/02/another-lawsuit-filed-against-new-howard-terminal-waterfront-ballpark/ |
| March 1, 2023 | Court of Appeal Upholds BCDC Approval | A California Court of Appeal panel upholds the lower court's ruling that the environmental review was adequate and affirms BCDC's removal of port priority designation. The A's: "We are pleased with the appellate court's decision." Mike Jacob (PMSA): "The project proponents have consistently ignored concerns." The A's have now won all major legal battles — but it is too late. NBC Bay Area: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/mlb/oakland-athletics/appeals-court-proposed-oakland-athletics-stadium/3195460/ |
| April 20, 2023 | A's Sign Las Vegas Land Purchase Agreement — Project Killed | A's owner John Fisher signs a binding agreement to purchase 9 acres near the Las Vegas Strip. A's president calls Mayor Sheng Thao that evening. Thao announces Oakland is "ceasing negotiations." The A's had never submitted a binding development agreement for the Oakland City Council to vote on. The sticking point: how to fund ~$400M in off-site infrastructure. "The conditions and length of the project timeline were entirely dependent on those two decisions made by the ownership group" — City of Oakland spokesperson. ABC7: https://abc7news.com/post/athletics-news-oakland-new-stadium-as-moving-to-vegas-timeline/13161196/ |
| May 12, 2023 | Exclusive Negotiating Agreement Expires | The Exclusive Negotiating Agreement between the A's and the Port of Oakland expires. Neither side elects to extend it. The A's reportedly spent approximately $100 million on Howard Terminal preparation work before walking away. ABC7: https://abc7news.com/post/athletics-news-oakland-new-stadium-as-moving-to-vegas-timeline/13161196/ |
| May 1, 2024 | BCDC Reverses 2022 Approval in Court Settlement | In a court settlement of the shipping industry's lawsuit, BCDC reverses its June 2022 decision to remove Howard Terminal from port priority designation. Howard Terminal is re-designated for maritime/industrial use. Any new plan to build housing at the site would need to start entirely from scratch. Oakland's long-range downtown plan now lists Howard Terminal for "industrial uses." Las Vegas Sun: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2024/may/13/after-as-plan-falls-apart-a-new-twist-changes-ever/ |
Rating 3 of 5. Multiple sources, including at least one primary record. Corrections: https://whokilledthebuilding.com/corrections.