Port of SF Gives Thumbs Up to AC34

November 30, 2010

Ariane Paul, Commodore of the Master Mariners Benevolent Association, reports on today's Special Port Commission Meeting:

Today’s public hearing at the Port of San Francisco’s meeting came to a nice close – a unanimous vote by the Port Commissioners in favor of Resolution 10-73, supporting the City of San Francisco’s bid and efforts to bring the 2013 America’s Cup event to the Bay Area.

I had also attended the SF Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee meeting in early October. Both were standing room only, with the crowd overflowing outside the rooms, though it looked like an even bigger crowd at today’s meeting. Many of the same faces attended both meetings, however there were quite a few different speakers this time. Pretty much all voiced their support for bringing AC34 here, how exciting it will be, and what a great economic boon for the area.

But I did hear quite a few avid sailors also voice their concerns. Many have maritime-related businesses that will be affected by the changes to the waterfront which will uproot and relocate current tenants from the piers that are utilized. Others came to show the diversity of the sailing community, including BAADS (Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors) members, and some who expressed how they hope the City will also use the event to add more programs to get youth sailing as well as learning to swim so that water activities will become more accessible to children.

As planning moves forward, the alternative to use the northern portion of the Cityfront seems to be gaining support, though plans for the use of this area have not been as thoroughly developed and reviewed yet. The costs to the City and Port would be substantially less, not as many long term tenants disturbed, with less loss of revenue. Additionally, as plans to revamp Pier 27 for a new cruise ship terminal were already in the works, it sounds as if these plans could be modified to accommodate AC34 first and then complete the terminal in a well thought out manner.

The Board of Supervisors has been making revisions to the Host City Agreement as things move along, taking into consideration the issues that are being raised at these hearings and in other communications. The forward momentum appears positive and very encouraging considering the time constraints involved. It will be a wonderful holiday present for the Bay Area to see this get green-lighted before year-end so that all the work can get started and preliminary races planned, all leading up to the big event in 2013.

- Ariane Paul