Joshua Sabatini, The Examiner
2006-05-26 09:00:00.0
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SAN FRANCISCO -

A bevy of skyscrapers already planned for South of Market over the next decade could receive a massive new addition — a building that could become the tallest tower on the West Coast.

A 1,000-foot tower, as well as two 800-foot towers, were proposed Thursday for the area around the Transbay Terminal, as The City moves forward with the rebuilding of the aging bus station at First and Mission streets and the development of the surrounding neighborhood.

City Planning Director Dean Macris proposed a revised development plan for the 40 acres surrounding the bus station, part of the Transbay Terminal redevelopment area. Macris told the Transbay Joint Powers Board that increasing the height of the towers to approximately 1,000 feet and 800 feet would increase revenue from land sales and property taxes, which could then be sunk back into the development of the new terminal.

It's estimated that the revised skyscraper plan would generate between $160 million and $260 million for the transit center.

The 1,000-foot tower, originally proposed for 500 feet, would go up adjacent to the terminal and likely house a hotel, office space and apartments. It would surpass The City’s existing tallest building, the Transamerica Pyramid, by about 150 feet.

“The City’s flat undulating skyline would be significantly enhanced by a higher crown to emphasize its core, at the heart of The City’s activity,” said a report presented by Macris to the Transbay board, which oversees the terminal project and the adjoining redevelopment.

The other two proposed towers would be at Howard Street, between First and Second streets, and at the northwest corner of First and Mission streets.

The three skyscrapers would join at least 10 other high-density high rises planned for SoMa, including the Rincon Hill project, which includes two skyscrapers at 300 Spear St., one at 400 feet and the other at 350 feet.

If the proposal is accepted by the Transbay board, the design of the towers would be decided by an international competition. The project will ultimately have to be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The Transbay Terminal is getting a $4 billion face-lift — putting under one roof BART, Muni and AC Transit as well as Caltrain, which would extend its rail lines from Fourth and King streets. Dubbed “The Grand Central of the West,” the project is also expected to include high-speed rail that would speed passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in less than three hours.

However, the state bond measure that would provide almost $500 million in funding for high-speed rail into the Transbay is not coming before state voters this year, placing in jeopardy key funds for the project.

jsabatini@examiner.com