In December, both the San Francisco Planning Commission and the San Francisco Port Commission voted unanimously to certify the final Environmental Impact Report on the 34th America’s Cup.
Artist rendering of the new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal to be constructed at Pier 27/29 along the Embarcadero. AECOM
Published: January, 2012
In December, both the San Francisco Planning Commission and the San Francisco Port Commission voted unanimously to certify the final Environmental Impact Report on the 34th America’s Cup.
Key changes to the original project include the preservation of Bay views from Rincon Point, additional mitigation measures to further reduce air quality impacts and a reduced scope of vehicle lane closure along the Embarcadero.
"The certification of this EIR is a great endorsement of a project that reflects the values of San Francisco and the input of people, and we thank the Mayor, his staff and the Planning Commission for their diligence during the environmental review process," said Richard Worth, Chairman and CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority. "Now we continue the exciting work of staging a model sporting event and bringing thousands of spectators and millions of dollars to San Francisco."
In addition to the certifications, the details of the Project Agreement for the 34thAmerica’s Cup were also shared. The agreement outlines as much as $100 million to be invested into port property and includes significant upgrades to both facilities and infrastructure including Pier 54 in Mission Bay (in lieu of Piers 14-22½) and the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal. The planned development provided under the agreement also realizes the goals of the waterfront land use plan by providing greater short- and long-term public access to the waterfront.
"This agreement represents an unprecedented investment into our waterfront, generating thousands of jobs and allowing for a major international sporting event to be held in our Bay’s natural amphitheater," said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. "The agreement also accelerates key infrastructure improvements such as the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal and protects open water views from Rincon Park for the public."
The agreement sets forth the obligations of the America’s Cup Event Authority to improve port property for the event, governs port review and approval of scope of work for improvement to port property performed by the America’s Cup Event Authority. It also governs the conditions for delivery of the venue leases to the authority and sets forth the means to reimburse the authority for its improvements on port property.
"The Port and City have taken a monumental step forward today in fulfilling their commitments under the America’s Cup Host and Venue Agreement and did so under intense time constraints," said America’s Cup Organizing Committee Chairman Mark Buell. "On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I commend the City’s America’s Cup project team as well as the Event Authority in coming together to finalize the deal that will bring the world’s attention and significant economic benefits to San Francisco."
The new 88,000 square foot terminal would be able to berth vessels up to 1300 feet long when it opens to cruise ships in 2014. AECOM
