Editor's note: The above video is from an episode of But Seriously on Sept. 3.
OAKLAND – The Warriors’ march toward an arena in San Francisco took another leap forward Tuesday.
The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) unanimously certified the final Environmental Impact Report, approving the team’s intention to build an 18,000-seat event center a few blocks south of AT&T Park.
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“We have reached yet another important milestone on the path to bring the NBA champion Golden State Warriors back home to San Francisco,” Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement issued by his office. “This rigorous and comprehensive study demonstrates the commitment of the city, the Warriors, UCSF and the community to make sure the arena works for everyone. I thank the Commission for approving this important project and moving it forward.
“With support from UCSF, the biotech community, the Mission Bay Citizens Advisory Committee, our labor partners, and others, the new privately-financed Warriors event center will provide year-round jobs for our residents, revenue for more transportation and open space in the neighborhood and revenue for all types of City services.”
The approval met with swift rebuke from the Mission Bay Alliance, a group of local citizens committed to blocking the arena, citing its proximity to the UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay. The MBA referred to the EIR approval process as “an affront to informed decision-making and an accessible public process.”
“The approval by the (OCII) came despite the fact the disastrous plan would create traffic gridlock from the Bay Bridge to Bayview during the arena’s 225 annual events, and includes a $60 million transportation ordinance that commits the City to front millions from the City’s General Fund to offset the traffic and public safety impacts the arena will create,” the MBA said in a statement.
Golden State Warriors
“The rubber stamp process to approve the report demonstrates how resolute the City is on jamming through this ill-conceived plan with no opportunity for a thorough review.”
The proposed arena still must pass several additional regulatory steps – and the likelihood of litigation – before construction can begin. The Warriors hope to open the facility in time for the 2018-19 NBA season.