Strange things are happening at the Treasure Island docks in San Francisco. Early reports suggested that Google was docking “mystery” barges at the harbor to start development of an unknown project. Since the arrival of these barges there’s been a wide variety of speculation as to just what the company is up to. A new report from SFGate claims that the $35 million project, code-named “Hanger 3”, will consist of three “floating retail stores” that will be docked in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. The details were apprently leaked from the budget report of Turner Construction Compnay (who is apparently behind schedule with the construction project). Google’s only statement with regards to the barges indicated that it will be “an interactive space where people can learn about new technology.”
According to the SFGate report the barges would combine several shipping containers flanked by sails. As stated in the documents obtained from Turner Construction confirm that the structures will be stacked with 80 shipping containers with sails on either side. The definition of these barges being “floating retail stores” may cause a few problems for Google going forward. A Bay Conservationist and Development Commission executive Larry Goldzband was quoted saying: “A floating retail store that is not a bay-oriented enterprise would probably make a lot of jaws drop at a commission meeting.” Reason being is that Google would need a hard to come by permit from the commission in order to moor its barge for any substantial length of time in San Francisco. According to Goldzband Google has informed the commission of the current construction, but the company still hasn’t been forthcoming about the exact details. He stated that: “We have told them we don’t want to wait a heck of a lot longer because … the public needs to know what Google is doing” . We will just have to wait and see what wacky ideas Google has in store…
Source: SFGate
Pictures of the barges in the San Francisco Harbor:
