How does the height of the proposed 8 Washington Street project compare to other buildings in the area?
The proposed plan for residential housing includes an eight-story building, which is considerably smaller than most of the adjacent buildings.

Will the proposed project eliminate recreational and/or open space?
The current property provides no public open space. The proposed plan would create a beautiful, open public commons-reconnecting Jackson Street to the Waterfront-while preserving and improving the Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club.

Overall, nearly two-thirds of the land will be dedicated to recreational and open space.

Will removal of Lot 351 from the public trust allow out-of-control development on a currently protected piece of land?
That piece of land is currently a surface parking lot on the Embarcadero, visually impacting a long stretch of Waterfront. Adding Lot 351 to the 8 Washington Street project would mean preserving more tennis courts and recreation space, allow for street improvements and bike lanes, and remove parked cars from the Waterfront. The City and County of San Francisco will maintain planning oversight of the project.

Will the proposed project obstruct views?
The project team has done considerable analysis of the existing views and has designed the project to minimize impacts. While the project would impact the views of a few of the lower apartments in the 22-story-tall Golden Gateway complex, it would dramatically improve everybody's view of the Waterfront by replacing the surface parking lot with underground parking and removing the link fence that currently blights that section of the Embarcadero.

Will the proposed project jeopardize the Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club?
The 8 Washington Street project plan includes the Golden Gateway Tennis & Swim Club. The club management supports this project. San Francisco Waterfront Partners is working with the Club management and members to ultimately configure the program for the Club facilities.

Will the Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club be closed during the construction period?
While the tennis and swim facilities will be closed during a period of time during construction, the Club management, Western Athletic Clubs, is currently securing interim club access at the San Francisco Tennis Club. The fitness center will remain open during construction. Additionally, members will have access to the Bay Club located at the Embarcadero and Battery Street.

Will the proposed project bring too many people and too much traffic into the neighborhood?
The project is undergoing a comprehensive Environmental Impact Review (EIR), in which this will be studied thoroughly. However, the proposed 8 Washington Street project will provide much-needed traffic improvements and bike lanes to the area - which is why it is supported by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Livable City. It also removes parked cars from the Waterfront, and provides much-needed underground parking for residents, visitors, neighbors and club members. These improvements are also necessary for the long-term viability of Ferry Building merchants and the Ferry Building Farmer's Market - all of whom support the project. Consolidating the club facilities on one side of Drumm Street will eliminate the significant pedestrian hazard that currently exists for club members who must dodge traffic on a busy street to get from the club house to other facilities.

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