Yee's Cow Palace bill heading to state Senate

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 7, 2008 | by Christine Morente

The bill that would allow the redevelopment of 13 acres of the Cow Palace's upper parking lot is expected to land on the Senate floor as early as Thursday.

On Monday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill authored by Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, 12-2.

"With (Monday's) vote, we are one step closer to Daly City residents receiving the basic amenities that all communities deserve," said Yee in a statement.

Currently, the Cow Palace's 68-acre property is owned by the state.

If Yee's measure passes, the Department of General Services would sell the 13-acre lot at the corner of Geneva Avenue and Carter Street.

Daly City officials have plans to buy the property and redevelop it, adding a grocery store, bank, post office, and other retail uses.

The Bayshore Elementary School District has voiced interest in building a new elementary school on the site.

The measure keeps the Cow Palace in place. The entertainment venue has lost more than $1 million over the last five years -- including nearly $800,000 in 2007, Yee said.

Three developers have submitted proposals to the California Construction Authority.

On Monday, Kevin Patterson of the Coalition to Save the Cow Palace defended the Cow Palace board's plan to lease the property instead of selling it at the appropriation committee's hearing.

In the past, the board had discussed entering into a 60-year lease with a private developer, which would gives the entertainment venue a steady stream of revenue to rehabilitate the aging landmark, which was built in 1941.

"In this real estate downturn, there's virtually no way the people of California will get the price they should get for that land," Patterson said. "It's a bad time to sell."

He said a lease would be a better option.

"With the promise of revitalization, new shows could be attracted there," Patterson said. "There's a lot of untapped potential there."

Cow Palace CEO Walter Haub could not be reached for comment Monday.

Christine Morente covers faith, families and North County. She can be reached at 650-348-4333 or cmorente@bayareanewsgroup.com.