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Port Commission endorses exclusive negotiations with Golden State Warriors for proposed arena at Piers 30‑32
Summary
The Port Commission voted to endorse a Board of Supervisors resolution authorizing exclusive negotiations with the Golden State Warriors for a privately financed arena at Piers 30‑32; staff said the project is conceptual and would require environmental review and coordination with maritime agencies, while neighborhood groups and unions urged protections for transportation, public access and cruise berths.
The Port Commission on a voice vote endorsed a Board of Supervisors resolution authorizing exclusive negotiations with the Golden State Warriors to explore a privately financed arena on Piers 30‑32 and Seawall Lot 330.
Bridal Benson, Special Projects Manager representing Port Director Moyer, told the commission the proposal is at an early, conceptual stage and estimated the facility at roughly 17,000 to 19,000 seats. Benson said the pier’s known substructure costs are a primary constraint and staff will consider rent credits and infrastructure financing district proceeds to help offset those costs. “If the Board does adopt that resolution, and you adopt this resolution today, the next step would be to enter an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Warriors,” Benson said.
The resolution passed after public comment that highlighted neighborhood and maritime concerns. Katie Liddell, president of the South Beach/Rincon/Mission Bay Neighborhood Association, said the neighborhood welcomes the Warriors but opposes siting a major arena on Piers 30‑32 because the area has high residential density and game‑day congestion. “If we put another major arena in the same neighborhood just a few blocks away, I’m not sure we can handle it,” Liddell said, warning that the community could see events rise from about 70 a year to “over 200.”
Representatives of maritime unions urged the Port to preserve cruise operations at the site. Dave Hill, vice president of ILWU Local 34, said Pier 30‑32 has deep draft berths that currently accommodate large cruise vessels and that the Port should ensure maritime uses are retained. “Put the cruise ship berth back into discussion with the Warriors Arena developer,” Hill said. Patrick Kim, secretary‑treasurer of ILWU Local 75, said the arena and a cruise berth could coexist and that maintaining berthing capacity would protect jobs.
Staff said the project would require consultation with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the California State Lands Commission on public access and a public‑trust consistency determination, and that any Port action after negotiations would be subject to Port Commission approval. Benson said a proposed exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) could return to the Port by July or August.
The commission’s endorsement is contingent on the Board of Supervisors adopting its resolution; commissioners emphasized the need for a robust public outreach strategy and for forming a citizen advisory committee as the project advances.
The Board of Supervisors’ resolution and the Port’s endorsement set milestones for negotiations; subsequent steps include preparing a term sheet, fiscal feasibility analysis and, if a site and program advance, environmental review under CEQA before the Port takes further approvals.
