by Zach Spedden on November 18, 2017 in Major-League Baseball, News
Over 80% of respondents to a new poll favor the Oakland A’s remaining at the current Coliseum site, instead of building a new ballpark at the team’s preferred location near Laney College.
Oakland Rising, a group that is opposed to the A’s pitch to construct a new ballpark near Laney College, released the results of a poll on Friday that showed overwhelming support for the team remaining in East Oakland, where the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is located. The A’s announced their preferred site after considering multiple options, including the current Coliseum location and Howard Terminal. Several advantages for the team’s preferred site have been noted, such as its access to the Lake Merrit BART Station and proximity to amenities in downtown Oakland and the surrounding neighborhoods.
The A’s revealed their preferred option in September, but there were signs of opposition before that announcement, as concerns were expressed that the ballpark project could lead to area residents and businesses being displaced. Oakland Rising’s poll asked participants “should the A’s stay at the Coliseum and invest in East Oakland?,” and produced a result that was starkly different from another recently-released poll. More from East Bay Times:
The 2,526 Oakland voters were asked, “should the A’s stay at the Coliseum and invest in East Oakland?” according to Oakland Rising, a consortium of nine grassroots organizations which conducted the survey.
“This poll is a true reflection of what Oakland communities want,” Oakland Rising Executive Director Jessamyn Sabbag said in a statement. “The people we spoke with oppose constructing a stadium at the Laney site which would inevitably push out and could destroy historic cultural neighborhoods.”
In all, 82 percent favored the A’s staying at the Coliseum, while 13 percent were opposed. The findings run counter to an Oakland Chamber of Commerce poll of 500 Oakland voters released last week which found support for the Peralta Community College District site by a 2-1 margin. Chamber members have stood in support of a Peralta stadium.
Oakland Rising and our collaborative partners are united in our vision for a city that embodies health, happiness, safety, and equal opportunities for all. Our goal is to create a model of progress and sustainability that showcases the possibilities for American cities in the 21st century. We are committed to dismantling the barriers of racial, economic, political, environmental, and educational inequities that have divided us, and instead, embracing the collective strength found in our city’s diversity. We firmly believe that Oakland can achieve its full potential when every resident, student, and bus rider has the ability to shape our city’s future. This vision is attainable and we are determined to realize it through our collective actions, whether it’s through voting, meetings, or call to actions.
Every year, we release a Vision, Issues, and Policy Platform (VIPP) which outlines the annual policies that we and our eight partner organizations prioritize in order to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice in the Town. Our collaborative’s agenda encompasses a range of critical initiatives, from expanding affordable housing to creating a more equitable democracy through campaign finance reforms. These priorities are designed to provide vital protections and innovative solutions for the most vulnerable members of our community. As we continue our efforts to promote these policies, we hold conversations with thousands of voters, lead and co-host impactful town hall meetings, educate and mobilize residents and voters, and undertake various other initiatives.
To gain a deeper understanding of our commitment to resist, protect, and advance in this political moment, we invite you to explore our 2023 Vision, Issues, and Policy Platform. Together, we are making strides towards a more equitable and just Oakland, and we remain steadfast in our pursuit of change, one vote, one meeting, one march at a time.
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