Meeting Runs Long; Decision Delayed

December 8, 2010

Despite the end of year deadline looming for Golden Gate YC and the City of San Francisco to bring America's Cup racing to the Bay, the theme for today's Board of Supervisors budget vote was procrastination. "Plan A" was officially scrapped with its more expensive and litigious use of Piers 50 and 52, and "Plan B" put in its place with a cheaper and more northerly venue using Piers 27 and 29. With 19 and 23 for office space. (And drinks at Pier 23 after the racing.) "Plan B" was floated around about a month ago and seems to be the compromise that everyone was looking for. (The decrepit Piers 30-32 south of the Bay Bridge are rehabilitated and put to use in both plans.)

Sailing journalist Kimball Livingston got three minutes to give his two cents worth during the public opinion portion of the afternoon. ©2010 norcalsailing.com

The voice from the public at the meeting was a solid "Let's get this done." But as today's meeting wore on past 5:00 p.m., the Budget and Finance Committee decided to wait and vote on it next Monday, once the Budget Analyst, Harvey Rose, has had a chance to update his report to include the more northerly piers. This puts the vote right up against the final meeting of the full board on Tuesday before they go on a break until next year. Which won't sit well with BMW Oracle Racing, the Challengers, or any potential challenging teams.