In what is surely a victory for opponents of waterfront development along the Embarcadero corridor in San Francisco, the Golden State Warriors have purchased a new site farther south, near AT&T Park and the UCSF Mission Bay campus, for a new arena.
“The Golden State Warriors have abandoned their plan to build an arena on Piers 30-32 just south of the Bay Bridge and instead have purchased a site in San Francisco's burgeoning Mission Bay to hold a new 18,000-seat venue,” reports John Coté. Salesforce.com owned the site previously.
Joe Eskenazi originally broke the story, also providing coverage of the implications on the move to Salesforce.com’s recent moves in the real estate market.
The new plan will eliminate the need for voter approval, which may have become necessary for the Pier 30-32 venue, which was a rallying point for opposition.
The new site has a number of benefits, including not requiring public funding, according to Coté's report. “The Warriors will own the site outright, rather than leasing it from the Port of San Francisco, and say the arena will be entirely privately financed - a rare instance of a modern sports venue that would use no taxpayer funds or public land.”
Coté also reports that new site also has multiple transportation options including “a Muni T-Third stop right in front of it and has two adjacent parking garages that can hold a combined 2,130 cars. A new off-ramp from I-280 will drop cars about two blocks away.” And “[the] site has street access on four sides, rather than only one side at Piers 30-32, easing pinch points.” Finally, “[when] the Central Subway opens - projected for 2019, the year after the Warriors plan to open the arena - the line will provide essentially a straight shot to the Powell Street Muni/BART Station downtown.”
What the site does now, however, are iconic view of the Bay Bridge, which will be preserved for opponents of the previously proposed plan instead of the team.
FULL STORY: Warriors to Buy Salesforce Site and Abandon Waterfront Stadium Plans, Sources Say
Trial Over San Francisco Waterfront Development Height Limits Begins
The State Lands Commission filed suit shortly after San Francisco voters approved Prop. B in June 2014, requiring waterfront developments exceeding height limits to obtain voter approval rather than go through the Planning Commission process.
Dirty Politics in San Francisco’s Height Restrictions Initiative
The city of San Francisco will vote on Prop. B, an ordinance that would limit the height of developments along the waterfront, in June. The ballot will list the campaign manager for the Yes on B campaign as the official opponent of the measure.
San Francisco Approves Prop B Height Restrictions
The eventuality predicted since San Francisco's Prop. B qualified for the ballot has come to pass, with more than 59 percent of San Francisco voters approving the ordinance that will require votes on developments exceeding existing height limits.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie