San Jose's Field Of Dreams Could Be A Good Investment

The corner of San Fernando and Montgomery streets in downtown San Jose used to be a sausage factory. Now it could become the city's field of dreams.

San Jose officials said they are prepared to let the Oakland A's use 14 acres of city-owned land to build a $461 million, 32,000 seat baseball park. So what would San Jose gain?

"Who knows? Maybe it will be Apple Park," suggested Jessica Westbrook of San Jose. Paul Westbrook thought it could be like the San Francisco's AT&T Park, which rejuvenated the South of Market Street area.

On Thursday, San Jose released the results of an economic analysis of building a ballpark.

The report said a ballpark would provide $130 million a year in economic benefits for the city, as well as 2,100 new jobs and $1.5 million for San Jose's general fund.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed liked what he read. "I think the report bolsters the efforts that we're making," said Reed. "[It] reinforces the reasons why a ballpark would be a good deal for the city of San Jose."

But is it a good deal for those who would be most affected, the people who live next to the proposed stadium site?

Some said they're already used to large crowds because the nearby HP Pavilion already attracts 17,000 people for hockey games.

"The traffic problems they took care of, so it's done quickly," said Bill Colescott of San Jose. "The parking was a concern to us but they have this area. People can't park without a permit and it works great."

What about noise from a ball park?

Dan Slee, also of San Jose, wasn't concerned. "It's not a concern in my opinion, because San Jose Diridon is right there. You can hear the trains already. A train horn is a lot louder than people cheering in my opinion."

San Jose is making it clear that while it will provide the land, no taxpayer money will go toward building and financing a ballpark.

A's owner Lew Wolfe told Bloomberg News Thursday night: "We've explored the Bay Area for a long time now and I think our only real option is downtown San Jose."

But it's not only up to San Jose. It's up to Major League Baseball which must approve a stadium, since the San Francisco Giants own territorial rights to San Jose. The team has opposed any team moving to the South Bay.

"I'm very confident that we'll be prepared for the A's," said Mayor Reed. "The real question is what will Major League Baseball do."

And even if Major League Baseball gives its blessing, the issue would have to go to a vote of San Jose residents.

So in the South Bay, residents remain a long way from an umpire yelling "Play ball!"