A's select site for ballpark near Laney College

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - KTVU has learned the Oakland A's have settled on a site for their new 35,000-seat, privately financed ballpark.

The 13-acre site is near Laney College not far from Lake Merritt. The team calls it the Peralta Site and have sent a letter to the Peralta Community College District. An East Bay Express reporter tweeted a copy of the letter Tuesday night.

The letter, signed by A's President Dave Kaval says: "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." 

Kaval confirmed the choice to KTVU on Wednesday.

The A's organization have made clear in their letter that the location has several features that were a priority in their search for a new stadium site. It's right off Interstate 880. It's about a 10 minute walk from the Lake Merritt BART Station and is on the edge of downtown.

Oakland's Mayor Libby Schaaf expressed excitement for the three implications that result from choosing this site. She says it keeps the organization where they belong, in Oakland, and also notes that it's privately financed and not being built at the expense of taxpayers. And finally, she applauds the impact it will have on Oakland residents.

"They (The A's) will engage residents in a serious and meaningful dialogue to address both the benefits and impacts a once-in-a-generation development will have on our community," Schaff said.

The A's hope to play their first game in the new ballpark in 2023 after playing in the Coliseum for the past 50 years.