Phil Matier: Election Results Could Affect Warriors Planned San Francisco Arena
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – As Proposition B and C were soundly defeated in San Francisco on Tuesday night, it begs the question of the fate of future developments on the waterfront, including the Golden State Warriors proposed arena.
Opponents of the measures called the 8 Washington project a "wall on the waterfront." The proposed 134-unit condominium complex would have been located on a small parcel of land along The Embarcadero and supervisors had previously granted the project an exemption from the city's existing height limit.
Phil Matier: Election Results Could Affect Warriors Planned San Francisco Arena
This calls into question any future developments on the waterfront, including the proposed Warriors arena at Piers 30-32. The proposal is already facing serious opposition and some are taking the same "wall on the waterfront" stance.
Part of the issue is the image of San Francisco, with the new arena possibly obstructing views of the city that have become so well known and beloved by both residents and tourists. Like 8 Washington, there are concerns about the height of the proposed arena. Traffic and transit issues have also been frequently brought up.
This comes as there are more than two dozen high-rise cranes up between The Embarcadero and Castro neighborhood, part of the incredible building boom in San Francisco right now. But some who led the campaign against 8 Washington are raising concerns that all of these projects will turn the city's waterfront into an exclusive area for only the wealthy.
The Golden State Warriors may be hearing these same concerns, as they're expected to retool their proposal in the next few weeks, softening some of the expected impacts based on the concerns that are being brought up. The arena proposal could eventually head to the Board of Supervisors, who also saw what happened on election night, and are hearing many of these same concerns from constituents.
You can hear Phil Matier's comments Monday through Friday at 7:50am and 5:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.
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