A’s decide on Laney College site for new ballpark

The Oakland Athletics have decided on a site for their future ballpark.

They plan leave the Coliseum site in favor of new digs near Laney College and Lake Merritt, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Through a letter to Peralta district Chancellor Jowel Laguerre, team president Dave Kaval announced his intentions to pursue the Laney College site. Kaval wrote:

“Finally, we’ve got our site. … We firmly believe that the Peralta site represents the best opportunity to keep Oakland’s last professional sports team in Oakland for the long term.”

Before they are able to move forward on plans to build a 35,000-seat stadium, the A’s will have to work out a deal with the Peralta Community College District, the owners of the land.

When he was introduced as the team president last November, Kaval insisted that the team’s decision would come to one of four possible locations: the current Oakland Coliseum site, Howard Terminal, a separate location near Lake Merritt, and the Laney College site.

This location, Kaval said, is the best option for a privately funded stadium, getting clear of the Coliseum — owned by Alameda County and the City of Oakland — which was perhaps the best option in regard to ease of mass transit use, another of Kaval’s points of focus.

This is merely the first in several steps toward building a new stadium, which will not be usable for several years. But, it is a step many fans have been waiting for.

Kaval previously spearheaded the search, development and construction of the San Jose Earthquakes’ home, Avaya Stadium, before taking on the responsibility with the Athletics.

The A’s will celebrate 50 years at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum next season, where they have played home games since 1968.

Kalama Hines is SFBay’s sports director and Oakland Athletics beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @HineSight_2020 on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of A’s baseball.