by Charlie O and Jerry Feitelberg (NBA beat reporters)

photo by district5diary.blogspot.ca: Golden State Warriors proposed new arena at Mission Bay

SAN FRANCISCO–It’s going down to the neighborhoods versus the Golden State Warriors in an attempt to build a new arena at Mission Bay. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Garrett Wong listened to both sides of the argument regarding the new arena, from the opponents Mission Bay Alliance and Save Muni and Jennifer Wade mother of a six year old son with rare cardiac issues who just recently joined the plaintiffs vs. the Golden State Warriors who also have their allies from San Francisco City Hall.

Judge Wong ruled that he will render a decision on July 18th. If the court rules against the Alliance or the Warriors rest assured this case won’t settle there more than likely there will be appeals. The Warriors are under pressure to beat this case and begin construction in Mission Bay as they are on a timeline to move out of Oakland and have the new arena ready. The team purchased the land at Mission Bay from Sales Dream Force where they plan not only to have the new arena but also retail and condos which would add value to the Warriors brand.

The Alliance and Save Muni say that traffic conditions and access to UCSF Hospital right next door will be impossible on game and event days at the arena. A study shows on the rare occasions that the San Francisco Giants or an AT&T event and a Warriors new Arena event (Chase Bank Arena) would double the traffic conditions let alone just a Warriors event.

Save Muni shares the same argument with the Mission Bay Alliance when it comes to traffic conditions they say that it would vastly alter public transportation in the South of Market particularly when traffic conditions are at it’s peak around 4:00 to 5:00 PM on week night games during afternoon rush hours. That in spite of increased Muni buses coming to and from the arena there will be traffic tie ups and it would impact Muni lines not only serving the arena itself but South of Market and lines going inbound to South of Market.

The Alliance and Wade added their concerns on traffic access to UCSF Hospital and emergency lanes as proposed by the City would not be the solution to getting to the hospital during an emergency. Wade for example has a six year son who from time to time has cardiac emergencies and needs quick access to the emergency room and if there is a back up to the arena Wade would have to wait in traffic to get to the ER for care for her son.

“He has emergencies from time to time” Wade said after last Friday’s hearing to Fox 2, “and I need to get him to UCSF in a timely matter. I’m just going to picture what’s going to happen if that’s the lead up to a Warriors game or a Beyonce’ concert or some other event especially if it’s happening at the same time as an event at AT&T Park, traffic is already bad over there.” Wade should know she lives only two blocks from the proposed arena site.

For Wade it’s the only hospital that specializes in treating her son’s rare cardiac condition “that’s the only hospital I can take my son to in an emergency other hospitals don’t understand his condition they dont’ have the pediatric cardiologists on staff at other children’s emergency hospitals. It’s a pretty rare condition that he has” said Wade.

Jerry Cauthen spokesman for Save Muni who represents transit activists, environmentalists, citizens concerned about Muni traffic impact of the Warriors new arena, and community activists said “it’s critically important” that the judge consider traffic conditions that a new Warriors arena would cause for rerouting and delaying Muni during rush hour and game night events.

Warriors spokesman PJ Johnston said it’s just shameful that the plaintiffs are going to such great lengths to try and stop the team from building the arena at Mission Bay, “it’s disappointing, it’s wasteful, to the workers and small businesses and neighbors in Mission Bay who are counting on this venue” said Johnston. The Warriors are hoping that the court will settle in their favor as the team plans to open the arena by the fall of 2019.

Jerry Feitelberg and Charlie O cover the NBA during the regular season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com