Critical Support for New NBA Arena Proposal in San Francisco

After controversy derailed an earlier plan by the Golden State Warriors to build a new arena at Piers 30-32 along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, a new plan at a new location has made progress toward completion.

1 minute read

December 26, 2014, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"After two years of false starts, political drama and a round of toilet jokes, the vision of a San Francisco home for the Golden State Warriors is starting to look real," writes San Francisco Chronicle Architecture Critic John King, "and it’s a promising vision at that."

King argues that the development will have a "ripple effect" on the neighborhood of Mission Bay that surrounds the proposed site for the arena. "Instead of an isolated object best viewed from a blimp, as was the case with the arena concepts for Piers 30-32 just south of the Bay Bridge, we’d have the concentrated drama of a major destination within an urban setting. It will share the block with two stubby towers and be flanked by commercial buildings, a stone’s throw from a hospital and a college campus. What’s been missing is what the arena can become: a catalyst to finally put the redevelopment district on the everyday map of San Francisco."

King also shares more of the details of the conceptual plan, as proposed by lead architect David Manica. As for a timeline, "Warriors management is to receive approvals by next fall, with construction to be complete in time for the 2018-19 basketball season." So far the proposal faces none of the political opposition that troubled the earlier concept for an arena on Piers 30-32. 

Monday, December 22, 2014 in San Francisco Chronicle

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.