Once the upcoming America’s Cup race in San Francisco ends, organizers won’t proceed with creating a permanent megayacht marina where it was initially intended to be.
As part of the overall race agreement signed some time ago, the America’s Cup organizers retained the right to establish a permanent marina after the race’s conclusion. That marina was to extend from piers 14 to 22½. However, that span includes waterfront by Rincon Park, a public space lauded for its views of San Francisco Bay. Regulations established by the state of California require the city to preserve public access. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, city officials and race organizers reached a new deal last Friday. In it, America’s Cup organizers will instead receive rights to develop Pier 54. The pier is part of the Mission Bay Waterfront redevelopment project, which calls for the creation of housing, retail and entertainment facilities, a hotel, and commercial and industrial usage.
The new megayacht marina agreement echoes one reached by the city and America’s Cup organizers a few months ago, over temporary megayacht moorings. The initial San Francisco superyacht berth plan was in dispute mostly due to the potential of hampering shore-side views and public access to the water at Rincon Park. A California government agency and environmental groups took issue with the temporary docks. Therefore, the America’s Cup organizers and the city reached a deal to move the temporary docks away from Rincon Park.
Even with the permanent marina being relocated, however, there are still issues to be resolved. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, environmental and neighborhood groups filed an appeal to the final environmental impact report. They claim that despite its approval by city commissioners, it doesn’t outline full solutions to traffic jams, detrimental impact to plants, and related issues. The city’s Board of Supervisors will review the appeal next month. If denied, the groups could sue, which in turn could delay development of the America’s Cup Village.
Updates will be posted accordingly.
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