UCSF Backs Proposed Warriors Arena After $40M Transportation Deal Reached
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- A deal reached Tuesday could push a proposed Golden State Warriors arena in San Francisco further along. UCSF now said it officially endorses the arena project.
UCSF Medical Center has been nervous about such a big development next to its facility at Mission Bay, raising objections over traffic, noise and pollution from the thousands who will descend on the area for Warrior games.
The deal reached Tuesday will include $40 million in transportation improvements, to protect patient access.
While UCSF has now signed off on the deal, not everyone is buying in.
"Today's announcement accomplishes nothing except for guaranteeing permanent gridlock in San Francisco. The Mission Bay Alliance is going to redouble its effort to defeat the Warriors stadium in Mission Bay," said Sam Singer, spokesperson for the Mission Bay Alliance.
The alliance wants the Warriors project moved farther south, to Pier 80 in the Bayview.
There are plenty of hurdles ahead, including environmental impact reports, public hearings and more governmental approvals. If approved, the privately financed, $1 billion arena could be open for the 2018 season.
