Oakland grants A's site for potential new stadium

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics have gotten to first base in their quest for a new stadium.

The city's port commission on Monday took a first step in providing land at Howard Terminal, where the A's hope to build a 35,000-seat stadium as part of a housing and retail development. Commissioners tentatively agreed to give the team four years to complete an environmental-impact report for the 50-acre site.

The current Oakland Coliseum is more than 50 years old.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf supported the commission's decision.

The A's have a long way to go before they can get their stadium, including negotiating a lease or sale of the land and receiving city council and state approval.

Opponents say the development would add traffic and disrupt port operations.