SAN FRANCISCO—UCSF chancellor Sam Hawgood announced on Monday, July 27, the university’s support of bringing the 2015 NBA Champions the Golden State Warriors back to San Francisco for their new arena.
The new San Francisco arena would be located along Third Street in San Francisco’s Mission Bay District, near the UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay. The 35,000 square foot project, which is expected to break ground in 2016, is marked with a half-billion dollar budget and will accommodate 18,500 spectators. The Warriors organization is hopeful it will be available for play by the 2018-19 season.
Concerns regarding the project have been brought up by the community. The future arena would sit relatively close in proximity to the SF Giants’ stadium, AT&T Park, where it could increase traffic problems along adjacent streets on days where games or events at both locations coincide.
Possible solutions to the problems have included better public transit in the neighborhood, and implementing alternate lane usage for hospital commuters that would help lessen the time spent in traffic.
Te future of the Warriors’ current home, Oracle Arena, remains uncertain. The city has announced the possibility of developing the location into Coliseum City, which could potentially be the future home of the Oakland Raiders.
For more than 40 years, the Warriors have called the arena in Oakland home. During the 1992-1993 season, the arena was even home to the San Jose Sharks. The Warriors are currently the only team the arena houses.
