Phil Matier: San Francisco Giants Development Plans Face Roadblock In Waterfront Politics
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The San Francisco Giants development plans for Lot A, the main parking lot for AT&T Park, may have hit a snag and it could be partly due to the team's own politics.
The team's proposal, which includes a 380-foot tower, could be up for voter approval, and is now closely tied to Proposition B. The June ballot measure would require any new buildings on Port of San Francisco property that exceed the zoned height limit to win voter approval for an exemption. It is widely expected to pass.
Phil Matier: San Francisco Giants Development Plans Face Roadblock In Waterfront Politics
Where do the politics come in? According to the San Francisco Chronicle, while the Giants stayed mostly out of the debate over whether the Golden State Warriors should move to Piers 30-32 in San Francisco, they "privately offered encouragement and agreed to provide money in the future" to the San Francisco Waterfront Alliance, a group which opposed the arena proposal, that according to a prominent group member. The Giants have denied this claim.
The ironic aspect – many of the arena opponents – including former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos – backed Proposition B as well. The Chronicle reports, the Giants asked Agnos and others involved with Prop B to give their project an exemption, but they were turned away.
The development is expected to include commercial and residential buildings, rental housing, office and retail space, along with a 5-acre park, a public plaza and the rehabilitation of Pier 48, which Anchor Brewing Co. has already agreed to expand.
This is all part of the team's goal of building a new, thriving neighborhood around the ballpark.
You can hear Phil Matier's comments Monday through Friday at 7:50am and 5:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
