Businesses at Pier 38, the most expensive waterfront Class-A office space in San Francisco, rushed to find new homes after the city red tagged the waterfront space. Notices appeared on Pier 38 businesses last week, claiming that the area was unsafe for operation. WordPress, blogging company Automattic Inc., Dogpatch Labs, 99 Designs, Maritime Recreation Center, and a slew of others have until September 30 to vacate. To make matters shadier, the city even built a fence around some of the boats so that people can't access them.

In an eyebrow-raising coincidence, the upcoming America's Cup plan on building a megayacht marina in the area, with rumors swirling that they might want the coveted Pier 38 space. Again, just rumors, folks.

Automattic's CEO recently explained to SocketSite: "There might be perfectly good reasons why they’re doing this, but because they are not talking about it, there’s all kinds of conspiracy theories forming that they just want to give the pier to Larry Ellison for his America’s Cup thing."

In response to the red tagging evictions, a rally will be held in front of the Port of San Francisco offices (Pier 39) at 1:30 p.m. Some of the residents have also put together a petition. It states:

As residents of South Beach neighborhood and San Franciscan's we respectfully request that our Mayor, District Supervisor and Port Authority find resources and means to keep Pier 38 in operation. We fear that without such provisions for Pier 38,once closed, it will, like Pier 36, undergo a decade of decaying beyond the possibility of any repair. We understand that there are safety issues with Pier 38 that need to be addressed; and we believe in the ability of San Francisco to do the right thing for waterfront, South Beach and all San Franciscans.

It is key to keep the building in operation and generating revenue in tough economic times. It is a home for many profitable businesses that employee many San Franciscans. Also, Pier 38 serves as access to the water and could in the future, even better serve our boating community.

Closing Pier 38 would be a big loss for all of us.

What's more, the Mayor's Office was not informed about the Port issued evictions in advance. Ed Lee answered concerns of angry renters by having city officials inspect the area on Tuesday. Business Times reports:

Lee sent top city fire officials and building inspectors to survey Pier 38 on Tuesday along with Port engineers and inspectors. A meeting is scheduled for Friday at which city and Port officials plan to discuss their findings and other issues with pier occupants.

However, as Business Times goes on to point out, the Port red tagged businesses from Pier 38 after taking successful legal action against master lease holder Carl Ernst, "with whom the agency had long been embroiled in litigation over issues related to planned improvements and maintenance, among other things."