by Ken Gimblin

SAN FRANCISCO–After the defeat of San Francisco propositions B and C it was a clear sign to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee that voters do not want to change to look of the waterfront at the Embarcadero at piers 30-32. Former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos was an advocate of keeping the waterfront just the way it is with no changes.

Props B and C would open the changes for development building new condos and later a proposition at piers 30-32 and the Embarcadero waterfront that would have lead to a new Warriors arena. Voters on Tuesday resoundingly voted no on the props voting down prop B by 62 percent and voting down prop C by 66.5 percent. It was reported that the defeat of the condos called 8 Washington condos was not necessarily bad news for Lee but it could translate how unpopular the Mayor’s idea for development for the waterfront is.

Agnos had allied groups opposing the measure by the San Francisco Sierra Club, San Francisco Tomorrow and members of San Francisco Waterfront Alliance, they were on hand at the No on Props B and C campaign headquarters saying they were in it to win it opposing the condo development, “voters sent the overwhelming message that they don’t want to destroy 50 years of work on the waterfront, under no circumstances will we accept an arena on the bay” said Agnos.

The Warriors intend to develop for a new proposed arena at the cost of $170 million, the sell was that the condos were going to help for affordable housing with construction costs at the tune of $11 million but the point of voters was either mistrust of the Mayor’s proposals or as Agnos said voters want to keep the waterfront looking just the way it is.

Agnos suggested that development for a new arena may work near Candlestick Point or near the San Francisco Cal Train station at Fourth and Townsend Streets. Neither location would appeal to the Warriors who are dead set on building at piers 30-32, “Art Agnos just won a game of ping pong and now he thinks he’s a Wimbledon champion” said Warriors spokesman Nathan Ballard for the Warriors S.F. arena project in commenting on props B and C going down to defeat.

Lee who attended the San Francisco Bulls home opener at the Cow Palace on Friday night did not comment on the loss of the propositions but it was learned through sources at the Bulls that Lee wants Bulls team president and co-owner Pat Curcio to work with him in campaigning together with the Warriors in the construction of a new arena with the Warriors. If all goes to plan it would give the waterfront arena an NHL or minor league regulation size ice rink and a new basketball arena.

Ken Gimblin covers the NBA for Sportstalk Radio