Battle Over Controversial S.F. Condos Goes to the Voters

Non-profits, neighborhood groups and Bay Area leaders are lining up to support competing ballot measures concerning the controversial 8 Washington mixed-use redevelopment project that will come before voters on Nov. 5. 

"Opponents of 8 Washington and its 134 very expensive condos are calling their effort No Wall on the Waterfront," explains John Wildermuth. "They argue that the plan for five- and six-story buildings along the Embarcadero and others behind them rising to 136 feet along Drumm Street shatter the long-standing 84-foot waterfront height limit and close off public sight lines."

"Supporters of the project, though, list their campaign group as Open Up the Waterfront, saying the condo development will eliminate a surface parking lot controlled by the port and a private tennis club now surrounded by more than 1,700 feet of 12-foot-high green fencing. It would add public open space, complete with wider walkways, new bike paths, sidewalk shops and open-air cafes."

"If both measures pass, the proposition that has the most votes is supposed to prevail, but in all likelihood would lead to more legal challenges."