Report: Giants to unveil plans for pop-up venue

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco Giants revealed new details to city officials Tuesday of their plans for a pop-up venue near AT&T Park.

They plan to convert a section of their parking lot into a temporary dining and shopping destination. It's parking lot a for Giants fans, but before this season's home opener, the cars will share space with The Yard. That's what the Giants are calling their 18,000 square foot pop-up project that will bring life to Mission Bay with restaurants, a beer garden and retail shops.

"We're actually taking 15 shipping containers from the Port of Oakland, deemed no longer sea worthy, and adding windows, doors and public elements," said Fran Weld, Giants real estate director.

A perfect example of how it might look is in Hayes Valley where shipping containers contain shops, with everything from a coffee spot to a bicycle shop.

The barbecue restaurant 4505 Meats will be one of the vendors in the Giants pop-up, along with Anchor Steam.

"Barbecue, baseball and beer, yeah on a warm day in San Francisco, I don't think it gets any better," said Trevor Bowles of 4505 Meats.

The Yard will be open all year long, even when it's not game day. The project is on port property in Mission Bay, a booming neighborhood without many options for wining and dining.

Peggy Fahnestock has lived in the neighborhood for five and a half years.

"We've got lots of residents, and more coming all the time. I think we have three buildings opening this year, so bring it on," said Peggy Fahnestock.

The new UCSF Medical Center is also opening next month in the neighborhood.

"With the new hospital coming there will be a lot more of us around here," said UCSF employee Tracy Lucks.

The Giants have ambitious plans for a permanent project known as Mission Rock but that faces a multi-year approval process. The Port's Phil Williamson says the pop-up serves as a preview.

"While this is only a temporary space, it'll really give us a flavor of what the larger project would bring to the neighborhood," said Phil Williamson of the Port of San Francisco.

The yard is expected to open in March and 73 parking spaces will be lost.