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Agenda Item
9 24-0243 Subject: Raimondi Park Ballfield License Agreement To Oakland Ballers
From: Councilmember Fife And City Administrator Johnson
Recommendation: Adopt The Following Pieces Of Legislation:
1) An Ordinance (1) Authorizing The City Administrator To Negotiate And Execute 1-Year License Agreements With The Oakland Ballers, A Minor League Baseball Team, For Use Of (A) The Raimondi Park Baseball Field At A Rate Of Five Hundred Seventy Dollars ($570) Per Month In Exchange For Approximately $1.6 Million Dollars ($1,600,000) Of Improvements And (B) 1707 Wood Street For Special Event Parking At A Rate Of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) Per Month; (2) Making Findings That The Licenses For Below Fair Market Value Are In The Best Interest Of The City; And (3) Making Appropriate California Environmental Quality Act Findings
I want to express gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the Oakland Baller’s initiative.
My name is Curt Flood Jr., and I'm here to advocate for the revitalization of a historic Oakland ballpark.
My father, Curt Flood, is one of Oakland’s most renowned Major League Baseball players. My dad played 15 seasons in professional baseball —and his career started playing baseball at Raimondi Park.
As a true Oaklander, my father sought to fight injustice everywhere and argued in front of the US Supreme Court that MLB players should be free agents—able to leave expired contracts and teams on their own terms. He changed labor conditions for players for generations to come.
Raimondi Park holds significant historical importance, having hosted legendary players like Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, and my father. Revitalizing this park is integral to our city's baseball legacy. And why I am THRILLED the Ballers will hold an Annual Curt Flood Day at the ballpark beginning this September 1st!
Oakland has a tradition of overcoming challenges, and developing a ballpark at Raimondi--in partnership with the Ballers whose mission and pledge is to directly support and uplift the surrounding community--is within our capabilities. And this project will benefit communities across Oakland, creating a vibrant hub for all residents to enjoy.
I urge members of the Oakland City Counci to support the initiative for the betterment of our city. Thank you!
Curt Flood, Jr
John Sander, Wood Street Community Action Group - Lead
5 months ago
John Sander here from the Wood Street Community Action Group. We are in favor of the Ballers agreement at Raimondi Park. The City needs to leverage this opportunity and momentum to the football/soccer field use for sponsor ship opportunities and increased community engagement and use of the infrastructure the Ballers have put in place.
The city take advantage of the Ballers activity, by promoting any opportunity of sponsorship of the soccer side (Wood Street Side) or renew May 2023 efforts previously listed as "Raimondi Park-Request for Opportunity to Lease" process?
The timing would be perfect to look at long commitments/sponsorships.
the City should look for ways to build on the Ballers improvements and not continue to repeat the cycle repairs/renovations experienced in the past.
The city take advantage of the Ballers activity, by promoting any opportunity of sponsorship of the soccer side (Wood Street Side) or renew May 2023 efforts previously listed as "Raimondi Park-Request for Opportunity to Lease" process?
The timing would be perfect to look at long commitments/sponsorships.
the City should look for ways to build on the Ballers improvements and not continue to repeat the cycle repairs/renovations experienced in the past.
In full support of the license agreement! The Oakland Ballers would bring positive community engagement that is much needed in our area. As a resident of the West Oakland neighborhood, would love to see them here!
Hi, my name is Josh Gunter, a resident of West Oakland and volunteer with Friends of Raimondi Park (FORP). I wholeheartedly support this proposal to grant a license agreement to the Oakland Ballers to play at Raimondi Park. This agreement will rejuvenate a baseball field rich in history and enable community and youth events, like movie nights on the video board that FORP is eager to help produce. This project will deliver lasting benefits to all Oaklanders, and I urge the city council to approve. Thank you for your consideration. And let's go Ballers!
I want to express gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the Oakland Baller’s initiative.
My name is Curt Flood Jr., and I'm here to advocate for the revitalization of a historic Oakland ballpark.
My father, Curt Flood, is one of Oakland’s most renowned Major League Baseball players. My dad played 15 seasons in professional baseball —and his career started playing baseball at Raimondi Park.
As a true Oaklander, my father sought to fight injustice everywhere and argued in front of the US Supreme Court that MLB players should be free agents—able to leave expired contracts and teams on their own terms. He changed labor conditions for players for generations to come.
Raimondi Park holds significant historical importance, having hosted legendary players like Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, and my father. Revitalizing this park is integral to our city's baseball legacy. And why I am THRILLED the Ballers will hold an Annual Curt Flood Day at the ballpark beginning this September 1st!
Oakland has a tradition of overcoming challenges, and developing a ballpark at Raimondi--in partnership with the Ballers whose mission and pledge is to directly support and uplift the surrounding community--is within our capabilities. And this project will benefit communities across Oakland, creating a vibrant hub for all residents to enjoy.
I urge members of the Oakland City Counci to support the initiative for the betterment of our city. Thank you!
Curt Flood, Jr
John Sander here from the Wood Street Community Action Group. We are in favor of the Ballers agreement at Raimondi Park. The City needs to leverage this opportunity and momentum to the football/soccer field use for sponsor ship opportunities and increased community engagement and use of the infrastructure the Ballers have put in place.
The city take advantage of the Ballers activity, by promoting any opportunity of sponsorship of the soccer side (Wood Street Side) or renew May 2023 efforts previously listed as "Raimondi Park-Request for Opportunity to Lease" process?
The timing would be perfect to look at long commitments/sponsorships.
the City should look for ways to build on the Ballers improvements and not continue to repeat the cycle repairs/renovations experienced in the past.
The city take advantage of the Ballers activity, by promoting any opportunity of sponsorship of the soccer side (Wood Street Side) or renew May 2023 efforts previously listed as "Raimondi Park-Request for Opportunity to Lease" process?
The timing would be perfect to look at long commitments/sponsorships.
the City should look for ways to build on the Ballers improvements and not continue to repeat the cycle repairs/renovations experienced in the past.
In full support of the license agreement! The Oakland Ballers would bring positive community engagement that is much needed in our area. As a resident of the West Oakland neighborhood, would love to see them here!
Hi, as a resident of West Oakland, I support the proposal to grant a license agreement to the Oakland Ballers.
Hi, my name is Josh Gunter, a resident of West Oakland and volunteer with Friends of Raimondi Park (FORP). I wholeheartedly support this proposal to grant a license agreement to the Oakland Ballers to play at Raimondi Park. This agreement will rejuvenate a baseball field rich in history and enable community and youth events, like movie nights on the video board that FORP is eager to help produce. This project will deliver lasting benefits to all Oaklanders, and I urge the city council to approve. Thank you for your consideration. And let's go Ballers!