The Oakland A’s today announced a partnership with the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) to enhance the long-term sustainability of the neighborhoods of West Oakland and improve quality of life for local residents. The West Oakland resident-led, community-based environmental justice organization advocates for healthier homes, jobs, and neighborhoods in West Oakland. 

“One of our top priorities is to ensure that this ballpark project creates broader economic, environmental, and community benefits for the people of Oakland,” said Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval. “After continued conversations with community leaders, we increasingly see that our ballpark project can be an essential catalyst to addressing longstanding environmental problems that have plagued West Oakland for far too long. This partnership represents an important step toward a broader environmental justice initiative that will extend well beyond the scope of the ballpark.”

Founded and led by acclaimed community activists Ms. Margaret Gordon and Brian Beveridge, WOEIP advocates for improved quality of life for local residents on issues including public health, air quality, land-use, and equity development.

“The Howard Terminal project is an innovative concept and WOEIP is excited to be working with the Oakland A’s to envision potential benefits to our West Oakland community,” said Gordon and Beveridge. “It is a complicated challenge that needs all our friends and allies, to protect jobs and the environment, and to create new opportunities for many who are often left out of Oakland’s economic growth.”

The A’s and WOEIP will develop a community benefits agreement for the Howard Terminal ballpark and surrounding district that supports the best interests of West Oakland residents, business owners, and community groups. The partnership represents an early step in a larger community coalition to promote a shared vision for the Howard Terminal site for a ballpark and additional uses, including affordable housing, commercial and public recreational use, sports, and entertainment.

This is the latest in a series of environmentally focused plans by the A’s, including committing to LEED Gold standard of design; reducing car trips by 20%; achieving net zero emissions; building an electrically powered gondola; and adding protections to the site in anticipation of future sea level rise caused by climate change.

The A’s are also working with the City of Oakland on a race and equity analysis to ensure the project produces community benefits for Oakland residents. WOEIP will inform the A’s on this work.

For more information on plans for the Oakland A’s Howard Terminal ballpark at Jack London Square, visit oaklandballpark.com. For more information on WOEIP, visit woeip.org.