Just in time for the playoffs this weekend, in which the A's are going to take their shot at the World Series, Oakland Mayor Jean Quan announced yesterday that there's big new money behind the proposed Coliseum City project, which would extend the footprint of the Oakland Coliseum to include several acres of shoreline property, and add restaurants, retail, and a skating rink.

The project is intended to entice A's owner Lew Wolff to scrap his previously announced intentions of moving the team to Silicon Valley, which is going to make many East Bay A's fans very sad and will be a major blow to Oakland's already damaged ego.

And it's the latest in a series of proposals over the last decade, including one, now scrapped, for a more easily accessible stadium on Port property near Jack London Square — something that was still being discussed as late as June.

The major investors now include a "wealthy financier from Dubai," and the Colony Capital Investment Group.

In any event: go A's!!

[ABC 7]
[SF Business Times]