...Continued

3. Project Backgound

In 1967, the California Department of Transportation became concerned about the use of the terminal properties after BART inaugurated transbay service. As a result of this concern, the Division of Bay Toll Crossings (now Toll Bridge Administration) undertook a series of studies of the property. Initial studies indicated a complex potential for the property with many variables affecting its future use and development. Consequently, the firms of Larry Smith and Company, economists; McCue-Boone-Tomsick, architects; and Livingston and Blayney, planners; were employed to analyze the potential non-transportation uses of the site. At that time it was felt that the initiation of BART transbay service would preclude the need for the property as a transportation facility.

The consultants analyzed 21 concepts and of these, four concepts were selected (see Figure 3) for in-depth analysis:

Concept 2: Continued use of the existing terminal as it is today with major development of the parcel facing on Mission Street.

Concept 5: Demolition of the existing terminal with construction of a new regional transportation center to serve both commuters and long-haul passengers plus three million square feet of private development in the air rights above the terminal.

Concept 10: Demolition of the existing terminal and the easterly portion of the loop and construction of a 3,000-space parking garage with accompanying development of three million square feet. The land underlying the easterly portion of the loop would be sold.

Concept 20: Demolition of the existing terminal and loop structure and sale of the property.

The consultants recommended Concept 5, a new regional transportation terminal for buses with private development in the air rights. As a result of frequent discussions with city agencies and a variety of interest groups, it was concluded that the major planning objectives of San Francisco strongly supported retention of a major transportation facility at the site-one which integrated both commuter bus services and the long-haul facilities of Greyhound and Continental Trailways.

The concept of the development of several million square feet of commercial facilities in the air space above a new and larger transportation terminal was not, however, so clearly in conformance with community development objectives. On the other hand, the development of high rises on the site was permitted by zoning and was not precluded by San Francisco's Urban Plan. Furthermore, it appeared likely that the only feasible method of financing a new regional transportation facility was through the lease of the air rights for private development. The critical problem would be balancing the right amount of development income potential with the cost of the new terminal.

In September, 1972, the California Toll Bridge Authority authorized CALTRANS to proceed with the formulation of a development plan. The following section, "Development Alternatives" summarizes some of the s issues related to various development strategies. However, before proceeding with a development project it was clear that one important element was lacking-a transportaItion study.

It was asserted by many and perceived by nearly everyone that a new regional transportation facility was desirable, but almost no one could demonstrate objectively that such a facility would actually be used. Both Greyhound and Continental Trailways expressed a willingness to cooperate in the venture, but public property and public funds could not be used to develop a facility for private companies. The public commuter lines, AC Transit and Golden Gate Transit, approved the proposal and encouraged the ultimate development of a link to the BART Embarcadero Station to further facilitate interchange between systems; but the extent of their roles as commuter carriers was unclear.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has many transportation studies under way. None of these studies, however, deals directly with the role of a new regional transportation terminal. Thus, the California Toll Bridge Authority has also authorized a transportation study.

Read on....

 

 
 01.11.01