Proposed Warriors arena in San Francisco sees new opposition

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- New opposition has surfaced to the Golden State Warriors' plan to build a new arena in San Francisco. Nurses at nearby UCSF are raising questions about the impact on patient care.

A handful of UCSF nurses with the California Nurses Association predict gridlock that will jeopardize patient care if the Warriors are allowed to build an 18,000 seat arena across the street from their hospital complex in Mission Bay.

"One of the biggest concerns is during a game obviously if emergency [vehicles] are trying to get to our hospitals to get the patients the critical care they need, they might not be able to get through," UCSF nurse Lili Cooper said.

But the city's draft environmental impact report calls for traffic mitigation.

"Like dedicated traffic lanes, dedicated routes to the hospital for people going to the hospital, as opposed to going to the area or any other event. It can totally be done," Warriors spokesperson P.J. Johnston said.

Opponents insist there will only be 200 dedicated parking spots for fans. The Warriors say they are building more than 1,000 and that there are already thousands more in the area that will be available on game nights.

"Are questions about traffic legitimate? Absolutely, but scare tactics and, frankly, misinformation that's not helpful for anybody," Johnston said.

Obstetrics nurse Kierstin Clickner says she hasn't read the city's plans but wants a more thorough discussion. She said, "All the nurses and the staff love the Warriors and support the Warriors, but our priority is our patients."

The city holds a hearing on the Warriors project on Tuesday.