Q&A with Larry Baer

Q: What was your initial vision for AT&T Park?
A: We wanted to build a traditional urban ballpark with modern amenities.  We modeled our project after Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Camden Yards and Coors Field.

Q: What was the neighborhood like before AT&T Park was built?
A: Mainly industrial warehouses for maritime uses related to the Port of San Francisco.  Additionally, we are located right next to Mission Bay – which once housed the Southern Pacific railroads.  In addition to AT&T Park, the South Beach/Mission Bay neighborhood has become one of the hottest places to live given its easy access to Silicon Valley, a hub for the dot.com and biotech industry and home to UCSF’s second campus.

Q: Why did you select this particular location for the ballpark?
A: We studied possible sites for more than two years.  We looked in San Francisco and down the Peninsula.  Ultimately, we chose a beautiful waterfront site that was accessible by all modes of public transit and in close proximity to downtown San Francisco.  Additionally, a large portion of our fan base comes from San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, so we chose a site that was easily accessible by car or by CalTrain from those counties.

Q: Were there previous attempts to build a ballpark elsewhere?
A: Under the Giants previous ownership, there were four unsuccessful attempts to build a ballpark – two in San Francisco and two in Santa Clara County.  All four attempts included some type of public financing, which ultimately led to four defeats at the ballot box.

Q: What was the community’s reaction to the initial proposal?
A: Keep in mind, the Giants have needed a new home essentially since the day they had moved into wind-swept Candlestick Park.  The public absolutely recognized that we needed a new facility…they just didn’t want to pay for it.  When we unveiled our plans, it was widely embraced and we won our ballpark election with 67% of the vote.

Q: Who were the biggest proponents and opponents to the project and why?
A: Supporters of the project ranged from the Mayor, business leaders, labor unions, local, state and federal elected officials, community leaders and fans.

The only true opposition was organized by a small group of neighbors concerned about the potential for noise and traffic.  Over the next four years — during the environmental review, planning and construction phases — we worked very closely with the neighborhood to ensure that we had a project that would enhance the neighborhood.  Today they are all very strong supporters of the ballpark and many of them became season ticket holders.  In the end, we had a better project because they made sure we had a project that worked for the neighborhood.

Q: How did your project address transportation and circulation to and from the ballpark and how did it connect with other neighborhoods?
A: We worked closely with a neighborhood citizen’s advisory committee and the local transportation agencies to create a comprehensive parking and transportation management plan.  The biggest concern was parking.  At Candlestick Park, 97% of all of our fans drove to the ballpark.

Since AT&T Park opened in 2000, more than 50% of our fans come by public transit, walk or bicycle to AT&T Park.  Our fans who come by foot, transit, bicycle or skateboard think that getting to the ballpark is all part of the experience of the game.

Q: What is the neighborhood like now, 11 years after AT&T Park was built?
A: As I mentioned before, it is a thriving and vibrant neighborhood filled with restaurants, office building, retail and housing.  AT&T Park was a contributor to the development of this new neighborhood as was UCSF and the dotcom industry.

Q: How your experience with AT&T Park comparable to Sacramento’s current process? 
A: While I cannot speak specifically to Sacramento’s situation, I can say that nothing compares to having a sports facility in a downtown setting.  Creating a vibrant and exciting public gathering space will do nothing but enhance the experience for everyone who lives and works there.

Q: What one piece of advice would go give Sacramento?
A: Articulate a vision and use examples of facilities that have worked and are working well.  We were able to draw upon the success of ballparks such as Fenway, Wrigley, Coors Field and Camden Yards.  Similar comparisons can be made for arenas.  Finally, I would suggest developing a broader base of support throughout the community.

Listen to Larry Baer live in Sacramento at the State of Downtown on January 17 at the Memorial Auditorium. A limited number of single tickets for the State of Downtown are available for purchase online.

The Downtown Lowdown Entertainment & Sports Complex, Events, State of Downtown