The San Francisco Bay is usually an undesirable place to swim, except for a hearty few. A development proposal seeking assistance at the state level would add a pool to the Bay’s waters to make the idea of going for a swim more appealing.
A bill under consideration by the California State Legislature would authorize construction of a heated, Olympic-sized pool in the San Francisco Bay.
In an article for the Mercury News, Marissa Kendall reports that the bill is necessary because the state owns the proposed site of the pool—Piers 30-32.
The project would replace two connected, dilapidated piers currently used as parking. One pier would be rebuilt and converted into 375,000 square feet of offices and 45,000 square feet of retail space. The other would become the pool, which would float on a barge, and would include space for lap swimming, water polo games and lounging in a hot tub. A section of the Bay surrounding the pool would be dedicated to open water swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.
Trammell Crow Company, the project developer, is also proposing a 725-unit apartment tower across the street.
State Senator Scott Wiener, (D-San Francisco) authored the bill, Senate Bill 273. Sen. Wiener is more familiar to Planetizen readers as one of the primary driving forces of the pro-development political agenda that has gained traction in the state in recent years.
“Past attempts to revitalize the piers have fizzled — including ideas to turn them into an arena for the Golden State Warriors, a George Lucas museum and a cruise terminal,” notes Kendall. Wiener belies the current proposal will succeed because of its intentions to preserve the piers, which previous development proposals did not include.
FULL STORY: Plans to build a massive, floating pool on the San Francisco Bay get legislative boost
S.F. Plan Amendment to Allow Bay Filling
A revision to the region’s plan for the bay will allow areas to be filled in to create habitats that mitigate the effects of climate change.
As the Waters Rise Toward San Francisco International Airport, So Do the Costs of Staying Dry
San Francisco International Airport lies on 5,171-acres of land on eight miles of shoreline along the west side of the San Francisco Bay. Protecting the property from sea-level rise is becoming a more challenging, and expensive, task.
A New Plan for Sea Level Rise in the San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay has 400 miles of shoreline, and a dire need for a new approach to dealing with the effects of rising water levels. An estimated $100 billion in potential property damage is at risk.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association