New A's owners wants to control ballpark planning

March 13, 2005

New A's owner says he will control planning of ballpark

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Lewis Wolff

OAKLAND ? Incoming Oakland Athletics owner Lewis Wolff said Thursday he will take full control over the planning for a new city ballpark, increasing the prospect that the project may be financed mostly with private money.

In a move lauded by local leaders, Wolff said the team understands the financial struggles of local governments, which is why his ownership group will pursue ballpark construction with that in mind.

"Since we need the venue, we are the ones planning it," Wolff said in an interview. "That does not mean we will not ask for assistance ... but we understand the priorities and the resources available."

Wolff's request to take control of the ballpark building process and his acknowledgment that public funding will be hard to secure comes just as the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority votes today to transfer its lease with the club to Wolff from current owners Steve Schott and Ken Hofmann.

It also comes about a month after Wolff introduced himself to the public, and was greeted with a host of proposals and offers of help from current and former politicians.

While thanking Oakland and Alameda County leaders for "the interest," Wolff said "it has become clear to me that the venue element of our activities must be the responsibility of our ownership and organization."

The letter was sent to the Authority's chairman, Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, and vice chairwoman, Alameda County Supervisor Gail Steele.

"I'm hoping that it is a sign that the stadium might be a private venture," Steele said. "I am not saying that there is nothing they will ask for, but it shows that they are trying to do this, at least the beginning, by themselves."

With the team willing to take a leading role in the planning process, any pressure placed on local politicians to get the deal done should subside.

It will no longer be up to the city and county to find someone to draft a plan, scout for potential investors or make a stand on whether a new ballpark is good for the community.

As a result, the ballpark issue may be removed from a bevy of election races taking place next year, including one for Oakland mayor.

"At least this way, they are really the accountable party," said De La Fuente, who is running for mayor. "It is the best way to go."

Wolff said he decided to take control of the process after he was "inundated with calls and meeting requests" regarding the team's quest for a new stadium.

Suspecting the same has occurred to local politicians, Wolff said he realized the only way to streamline the process was to take control of it.

"It is a highly visible thing, and we wanted to make sure that we focus," he said. "We don't want to run off in 22 different directions."

Wolff also singled out former Oakland City Councilman Dick Spees for his "willingness to assist us," but said the team wants to do the work itself.

However, he wrote, "We plan to avail ourselves of their good offices as needed."

Spees has formed a group of Oakland businessmen who had hoped to help the Coliseum Authority come up with a financing plan for a new stadium.

"I think it is terrific," Spees said. "The A's want to take a lead and find a solution."

De La Fuente said he agrees with Wolff that leaving the planning in the public sector could have resulted in a myriad of plans and infighting.

Having Wolff and his partners take control also increases the chances that the ballpark will be built as part of a larger development, he said.

"What is clear, for them and for us, is the only way that a stadium could be built is if it is part of a massive development," De La Fuente said. "They know it ... and the only way that this could be coordinated is by them."

Wolff refused Thursday to discuss specifics.

He would not say whether he is planning a larger development or whether the team is willing to pour more of its own money into the project.

A report written by Wolff in 2003 for the outgoing ownership group said the team is willing to contribute $100 million towards a $400 million ballpark in the Coliseum parking lot.

Wolff, however, said his group, which includes Donald Fisher, son of Gap founder John Fisher, continues to focus on Oakland for a new stadium and said the Coliseum parking lot remains the top choice for location.

Although the ownership would entertain proposals for other city locations, Wolff said "we don't want to start running around on sites that we can't get to for 10 years."