A proposed Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium in Oakland, US – designed by Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) – is a step closer to reality following the publication of an environmental report by city authorities.
The Oakland Ballpark Waterfront District Project will be anchored by a 35,000-capacity ballpark, which will become the new home of MLB franchise Oakland A's.
As well as the baseball venue, the project includes a hotel, a 3,500-capacity performance venue, 3,000 residential units, 1.5 million sq ft of commercial space and 270,000sq ft of retail space.
The City of Oakland this week published its Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which assesses the potential physical environmental impacts that could result from construction and use of the project.
Members of the public will now have 45 days to submit comments on the EIR, before the plans move ahead to the next stage.
The stadium project has already secured the backing of the city government.
“I’m excited about keeping our A’s rooted in Oakland,” city mayor Libby Schaaf said.
“The Howard Terminal ballpark requires the highest environmental standards while giving us an opportunity to expand our entertainment district near Jack London Square, increase housing, provide good jobs, and keep our beloved waterfront working.”
Replacing the Brutalist-style Oakland Coliseum, the new venue will have a circular – instead of jewel box shape – in order to "boost fans' experience".
BIG's innovative designs include a rooftop park which can be used by both fans and the wider community and offers views of the Oakland waterfront.
"The site will form its new identity by absorbing the character of the neighbourhoods around it," BIG said.
"By pulling the adjacent neighbourhood fabric into the site, we create opportunities for additional housing, jobs and education for East Oakland.
"At the heart, we create a new resilient central park for East Oakland, anchored by the two focal points of Oakland sports history.
