Oakland Coliseum: A new deal on the table?

OAKLAND, Calif. – By selling the Oakland Coliseum site, the city of Oakland is seeking to avoid major spending cuts that could lead to significant reductions in police and fire services in a city in distress.

So is it a deal or no deal? That is the question.

The currently signed and sealed sales agreement for the Coliseum calls for $63 million to be paid to the city in four installments by the end of next June.

But now Oakland City Councilwoman Janani Ramachandran is expressing deep concern that the buyer, the African-American sports and entertainment company, has missed or delayed a $10 million payment.

“We are experiencing radio silence and cannot understand what is going to happen,” Ramachandran said.

Although the mayor insists the deal is on track, there appears to be a new deal.

“That would allow them to get $10 million on Monday or shortly thereafter…Then…probably on May 30th they would get $95 million,” said Ray Bobbit of the African-American Sports & Entertainment Group.

So is this essentially the new deal?

“Yes. That's correct. I can say that for sure,” Bobbit said.

Several city council members feel like the mayor and city manager are ignoring them.

“None of this is binding until it comes before the council for approval,” Ramachandran said. “Are there things, precautionary things we can do to make this happen? Say, OK, we might have to make some cuts… no one wanted to have that conversation.”

The Oakland Police Officers Association is skeptical.

“The police are very concerned that no one has seen the deal, no one has seen the money and no one trusts the players involved: the mayor's office or the developer. “We are concerned that this will lead to further cuts in public safety because there may not be a real deal,” said association spokesman Sam Singer.

“Every weekend, several hundred emergency calls go unanswered. This means that people are not being cared for in emergencies.”

Everything appears to be on hold until a requested emergency council meeting may or may not take place on Monday.