Slammed Treasure Island May 2026

One thing is certain. As the bay waters climb and the next earthquake rumbles beneath the Pacific Plate, the world will be watching. Whether it sinks or swims, —by the tide, by the earth, and by the court of public opinion.

Today, the redevelopment of Treasure Island is the most ambitious and controversial urban project in California. And the critics have not held back. The phrase "slammed treasure island" appears in news reports for three distinct reasons: environmental risk, seismic danger, and social equity. 1. The Climate Hammer: Rising Seas Treasure Island sits just 13 feet above sea level at its highest point. With climate models predicting the bay will rise by as much as 7 feet by 2100, engineers are in a race against the tide. slammed treasure island

Yet, the state’s seismic safety commission recently slammed Treasure Island’s risk assessment as "optimistic." Building massive residential towers (including a 20-story condominium) on this terrain has engineers wincing. One consultant called it "building Versailles on a slinky." Perhaps the loudest noise comes from housing advocates. For years, Treasure Island was a home to 2,000 lower-income residents in aging Navy barracks. To build the new "eco-district," the city forced most of these residents out. One thing is certain

The new plan promises 8,000 new homes, but only 20% are designated "affordable." The rest are market-rate luxury condos with rooftop gardens, marinas, and yoga decks. Today, the redevelopment of Treasure Island is the