Tentative Plans For Warriors NBA Finals Victory Parade In Oakland Secretly Taking Shape
UPDATE: Full Parade Route Announced, Schedule HERE
ORIGINAL STORY FROM MONDAY, JUNE 15th:
OAKLAND (KCBS) - The City of Oakland is one Golden State Warriors victory away from hosting its first victory parade since the Raiders won Super Bowl XV more than three decades ago. For Dub Nation, that means it's time to start planning.
KCBS has learned a victory Tuesday night in Cleveland could mean a victory parade Friday morning in Oakland, but nothing is confirmed. The parade would likely travel through the Lake Merritt/Uptown District although the exact route is still being worked out and is being kept secret by organizers and media involved in a video pool arrangement, including KCBS's sister station KPIX 5.
Update: CBS San Francisco has been told the tentative time for the parade is 10 a.m.
VIDEO ARCHIVE: 1975 Golden State Warriors Arrive Home After NBA Finals Victory
The Lake Merritt/Uptown District Association's manager Steve Snider released a very cautious statement, not giving away the exact route, but saying, "While we would defer to the City to discuss plans for a victory parade for the Warriors, as proud Oaklanders we would certainly expect to see a victory parade if they should win." He added, "We would also anticipate a parade would pass through the Downtown and Lake Merritt Uptown neighborhoods."
One potential logistical hurdle for the celebration is the planned Bay Area visit this Friday by President Barack Obama. Obama is due to speak at the U.S. Conference of Mayors being held this week in San Francisco. While that event is across the Bay from the tentative parade route, presidential visits often include no-fly zones and traffic allowances that could present potential challenges for parade planners, potentially even forcing rescheduling.
READ MORE: Oakland Hoping For Calm Celebrations IF Warriors Win
Late Monday, the City of Oakland released a letter to the community outlining emergency communication procedures, and warning that there is a potential for disruption.
Interim City Administrator John Flores wrote, "The City is preparing for exuberant celebrations throughout the city. Based on the experiences of other large cities following sports championship games, we anticipate that there may be large crowds that could lead to the potential for disruption to traffic and pedestrian movement."
He continued, "The City of Oakland will be prepared to maintain a safe environment for all to enjoy the pre and post-game celebrations. Our entire City family will be working hard to put Oakland's best foot forward, keeping the City clean and making sure that the world knows what a great host Oakland has been for the Finals." (FULL TEXT BELOW)
Lake Merritt Uptown Association says it is working with businesses to prepare for the onslaught of crowds, and says it has some experience with these sorts of parades in the distant past with the Raiders and A's victory parades.
Snider added that "if" a parade were to go through his district, "Business owners and the employees of the many companies based in those neighborhoods will enthusiastically embrace the parade and be among the loudest supporters of the celebration."
This would be the first time the city has hosted a ticker-tape style celebration since it welcomed home the champion Raiders in January of 1981. The 1989 World Series Champion A's held a rally but skipped the parade following the sweep of the San Francisco Giants - interrupted by the Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Late last month, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said she knows the Warriors still need to beat Cleveland to claim their first NBA crown in 40 years, but if they do, she's ready for the City of Oakland to host the civic celebration even if the team plans on e moving to San Francisco.
Schaaf said she and the police will take every precaution to keep the streets safe as the spotlight shines on the East Bay. She also expects Warriors fans to behave themselves.
At a news conference Monday, Oakland Police Spokeswoman Johnna Watson said the department would "facilitate" any celebrations but would not elaborate on parade plans. Watson did say that the new city policy of not allowing demonstrations in the street after dark would hold after any victory.
Late last month the city announced a ban on protests in the streets after dark. The policy - which has been meet with backlash from activists - permits outdoor gatherings, but those events must be confined to the sidewalk.
Oakland City Councilmember Lynette McElhaney says people should have fun, but troublemakers should stay home, especially those from other cities.
"A number of people who get arrested here for creating havoc have addresses elsewhere, and so we say, keep your misery in your own community," McElhaney said.
The only other time Golden State won the NBA championship in 1975, the team held a parade and rally in San Francisco.
FULL TEXT OF OAKLAND LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY:
June 15, 2015
Dear Oakland community:
Oakland is proud of the Warrior's phenomenal performance this season and in the Finals. We're all cheering on the team after another amazing game last night!
Join in the excitement as the Warriors battle the Cavaliers. Many Oakland businesses are offering special menus, extended hours and special offers. This is an exciting time for our beloved city to show Warriors support and Oakland spirit. Our partner, Visit Oakland, has a roster of participating locations and fun options at http://visitoakland.org/warriors.
The City is preparing for exuberant celebrations throughout the city. Based on the experiences of other large cities following sports championship games, we anticipate that there may be large crowds that could lead to the potential for disruption to traffic and pedestrian movement. The City of Oakland will be prepared to maintain a safe environment for all to enjoy the pre and post-game celebrations. Our entire City family will be working hard to put Oakland's best foot forward, keeping the City clean and making sure that the world knows what a great host Oakland has been for the Finals.
The championship will be won or lost on one of the following two dates:
• Tuesday, June 16 at 6 pm in Cleveland
• Friday, June 19 at 6 pm in Oakland
If the circumstances warrant, emergency updates will be sent out through the following channels:
• Emails/Text alerts from the City: Subscribe at http://bit.ly/1um74CR
• Public safety notifications from Oakland Police Department: Sign up at www.nixle.com
Please share these important resource subscription options with your neighbors, tenants, employees and friends.
Go Warriors!
Sincerely,
John Flores
Interim City Administrator
To view this letter to the Oakland Community in English as a PDF, please visit http://www2.oaklandnet.com/w/OAK053624
