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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)