Bay Area
Three Lawsuits Challenge City of Oakland, A’s Over Proposed Real Estate Project at Port of Oakland
The second lawsuit was filed by Union Pacific Railroad, raising concerns about environmental and public safety risks. In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, Robynn Tysver, a spokesperson for Union Pacific, said the company has “serious safety concerns” about the project because, if built, it would be near “two busy railyards and a busy passenger rail station.”
By Ken Epstein
So far, three lawsuits have already been filed challenging efforts by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and John Fisher of the Oakland A’s to move full-steam ahead to win final approval for building a massive $12 billion private real estate project on public land at Howard Terminal at the Port of Oakland.
Two lawsuits were filed on Friday, April 1. Observers say more lawsuits may be forthcoming as those who are opposed to the project or have concerns about how the giveaway of public property and public funding are unfolding as Schaaf and the A’s corporation move forward while ignoring or marginalizing the concerns of port-related businesses and longshore workers, city residents and environmentalists.
Ignoring hundreds of written concerns and many public comments, the Oakland Planning Commissioners — all appointed by Schaaf — unanimously passed the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the project. The project has also been approved by Port Commissioners who were also appointed by the mayor.
One lawsuit, which says the EIR does not meet legal environmental requirements, was filed on behalf of the East Oakland Stadium Alliance; Schnitzer Steel, a metal shredding facility; Pacific Merchant Shipping Association; the Harbor Trucking Association; California Trucking Association; and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents dockworkers. Several of these organizations have criticized city officials and the Oakland A’s corporation for refusing to meet with them to negotiate or even inform them about the project proposal.
A spokesperson for the East Oakland Stadium Alliance said the A’s and the City have failed to disclose the negative impacts that the project will have on businesses at the Port and surrounding communities.
“The A’s proposal to build a stadium and luxury condominiums, office and retail development will cause major disruptions and impacts to both the surrounding community and the operations of the Port, yet the EIR did not fully address these concerns or mitigate these well-known issues,” said Mike Jacob, speaking for the Stadium Alliance to KRON4.
“It is simply not proper to ignore or defer analysis or mitigation of so many of the significant impacts identified in the more than 400 comments submitted by community and supply chain stakeholders, and as a result our only alternative is to pursue legal recourse,” Jacob said.
The second lawsuit was filed by Union Pacific Railroad, raising concerns about environmental and public safety risks.
In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, Robynn Tysver, a spokesperson for Union Pacific, said the company has “serious safety concerns” about the project because, if built, it would be near “two busy railyards and a busy passenger rail station.”
“Union Pacific believes developing the Howard Terminal without removing rail, vehicle and pedestrian conflicts will exacerbate roadway congestion and create significant safety risks for the public and our employees,” said Tysver. “We are asking that the Oakland A’s and City of Oakland go back and diligently study a grade-separated access plan to properly mitigate the risks.”
A third lawsuit against the EIR was filed on April 4 by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. The Capitol Corridor runs 30 weekday and 22 weekend passenger trains weekly on Union Pacific tracks. Union Pacific runs 15 freight trains per day and Amtrak passenger trains.
Responding to the lawsuits, Dave Kaval, president of the A’s, said, “This is just absolutely crazy that these lawsuits are even possible. We are going to prosecute this and defend it and do what we can to demonstrate our project is going to be a huge net benefit,” he said in an interview with the Chronicle.
Kaval was dismissive of the Union Pacific lawsuit, saying the current railway situation at the Port is “completely untenable.”
“One of the key parts of this project is maintaining railroad safety,” Kaval said. “Our project is going to do so much to make Jack London Square safer.”
Of the first lawsuit filed against the EIR, Kaval said, “We think they should drop the lawsuit. It’s an odd way to use an environmental law to prevent the environmental review from being completed.” He said he and city staff were both concerned about the lawsuit.
“We are disappointed collectively about this,” he said.
Kaval said the project is looking at building two bridges, one for pedestrians and another for vehicles, to allow traffic to move safely over multiple train tracks. Other unnamed safety and infrastructure improvements are also being considered.
“We will be very forceful to have this rescinded. We’re at the bottom of the ninth inning, and we need to get the Howard Terminal ballpark approved.”
The A’s project has the support of Democratic political leaders in California who passed a state law that says that lawsuits related to the project must be resolved in less than 270 days.
Schaaf also opposed the lawsuits, defending the Planning Commission approval of the EIR. Justin Berton, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, gave a statement to KRON, saying:
“The city stands by the integrity of its process and analysis culminating in the certification of the EIR… This particular EIR is exceedingly rigorous, thorough, transparent, and ensures a waterfront ballpark district will be built with only the highest environmental standards.”
Activism
Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland
“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”
By Post Staff
Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.
“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.
“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”
“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”
“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”
Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com
Activism
Who Wants to Be the Next Elected Mayor of Oakland?
The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.
By Paul Cobb
Many of you probably recall the oft-repeated expression when describing leadership that “many are called but few are chosen.” We will be inundated during January with many claims of qualifications by those who want to lead Oakland.
As of Jan. 1, 2025, we have heard the names of 14 potential candidates who might become Oakland’s next Mayor.
The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.
Any candidate who wishes to receive a free announcement, publicity or space in the paper must submit solutions.
- The first questions we propose are 1) What is your budget balancing plan?
- What is your position on requiring all city employees to work full-time in their designated offices rather than remotely from their homes?
- What is your plan to provide open-access opportunities to all police officers for overtime pay?
- Since many businesses, especially downtown, have closed, what is your plan to attract and increase revenues?
Please send your submissions of 300 words or less to each question to Social@postnewsgroup.com or visit www.postnewsgroup.com
Activism
Oakland NAACP President Stands on the Frontlines for Equity
With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”
By Carla Thomas
For Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, fighting for the rights of Black people comes naturally. With southern roots in Arkansas, Adams experienced firsthand the injustice and unfairness of racism.
“Growing up in the Jim Crow South, I experienced the unfair treatment of people of color and how faith can inspire communities to bring about positive and long-lasting change,” said Adams. Adams says a combination of her family and faith has kept her strong in the face of adversity and inspired her life’s work of advocacy.
Adams chose education as a career path — and a means to achieve equity and overcome racism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later received an advanced degree from California State East Bay.
Adams’ experience as an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) recorder, a counselor, a researcher, and a college recruiter has allowed her to be laser-focused on youth. She also served as the chairperson for the Oakland NAACP youth.
“The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. We want to ensure our citizens have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination based on race.”
As a partner with the State of California’s Stop the Hate campaign, Adams says the initiative is a step in the right direction. “It’s great that our governor and state created the Stop the Hate campaign and provides resources for victims of racism and other hate crimes,” said Adams. “The racism toward Black people has increased and our children are being targeted,” she continued.
“We, at the Oakland branch, created a declaration on racism that will amplify the needs of our community to combat racism,” continued Adams. “That declaration was adopted nationally.”
Bridging communities and collaborating is also a strategy for moving society toward justice, according to Adams.
“Through the NAACP, we build connections between communities and advocate for the rights of historically marginalized and oppressed individuals,” said Adams. “Collective action is the only way to advance civil rights and promote social equity.”
With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”
By taking stands on supporting former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to supporting the recall of a mayor faced with a scandal that brought negative national press to the city of Oakland, Adams has always demanded more for her people, and better for Oakland, the city she calls home.
She expressed pride in the national organization’s announcement of a $200 million fund designed to empower Black funders nationwide. “We all know the health of a community begins with economics,” said Adams.
Adams says that strengthening Black businesses automatically sustains a community. “We’ve also got to educate our community on opportunities and teach our children critical thinking so that they can provide the next generation of solutions for society,” said Adams.
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