Mills Corp.'s project calls for 250,000 sf of office space, a 100,000 sf YMCA facility and 120,000 sf of recreational retail--stores that offer products coupled with activities such as rock climbing. Also part of their proposal is 141,000 plus sf of indoor recreation, 519,000 sf of open space, 434,000 sf of office, retail and restaurant space and 170 parking spaces in the pier 31 shed. In addition, it has indicated it will pay $14 million in rent to the port over 10 years.

The relationship between shopping mall developer Mills Corp., the YMCA and the San Francisco 49ers is nothing new. The three have been involved in the football team's plans for a new stadium/mall complex at Candlestick Point, which is still on the drawing board. The Mills-49er partnership is similar to the relationship between Chelsea Piers and the San Francisco Giants.

The San Francisco Giants baseball team announced last month that it is backing Chelsea Pier's $120-million project. Team officials say they envision using a proposed field house to coordinate youth baseball leagues and various athletic programs. Chelsea Piers has proposed sports and recreational facilities--including a field house, ice rinks, bowling, and an extreme park for in-line skating and rock climbing. The company has also outlined plans for 90,000 sf for restaurants, retail and commercial space, 250,000 sf for open space and 350 parking spaces outside and in the pier 31 shed.

Also, in partnership with Western Atlantic Clubs, which was planning to submit its own proposal at one time, Chelsea would develop a new health club on the site. In all, the project would total more than 500,000 sf. It proposes paying an estimated $16.2 million in rent to the port over 10 years.

While neither team will fund the project or take an equity stake in it, both teams have assigned team staff members as paid advisors to the undertaking, which is slated for completion by 2004.

Instant Insights /

Football Team Backs Proposed $200-Mil Mixed-Use Project; Baseball Backs Rival Developer

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