The Oakland Athletics' pursuit of a waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal will move forward after a key vote from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The board, with some reservations, voted 4-1 on a non-binding resolution declaring its intent to contribute potential future tax revenue to help the A's and the City of Oakland pay for affordable housing, ballpark infrastructure and public parks on the Howard Terminal site.
High-ranking city, Major League Baseball and team executives said the county's vote was a critical bellwether for keeping the A's in Oakland after the league granted the team permission in May to explore relocation, while publicly expressing doubt in the project's ability to move forward.
Alameda County officials met for over seven hours on Tuesday, convening from noon until just before 6 p.m. before meeting again around 7:45 p.m. following a mandatory redistricting meeting. Members of the public offered comment for about two hours, with supporters and opponents echoing their side's arguments throughout.
The final vote occurred just after 9 p.m.
Board of Supervisors President Keith Carson tallied the "no" vote.
"Tonight's vote by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors is a historic action that creates a clear path to keep the A's rooted in Oakland and build a world-class waterfront ballpark district that will benefit Bay Area residents for generations to come," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement shortly after the affirmative vote.
Schaaf also teased a "return to (Oakland) City Council for a final vote as swiftly and prudently as possible," but didn't provide specifics.
While the ultimate outcome remains uncertain at this point in the project, some companies already at Howard Terminal have expressed opposition to the proposed $12 billion project. Critics contend it would disrupt shipping and cause traffic nightmares, among other complaints.
The stadium would seat an estimated 35,000 fans and include a number of additives in the surrounding area: 3,000 residential housing units, commercial space, retail space, a performance center and at least 400 hotel rooms.
The county initially delayed the vote, which was scheduled to take place last month.
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