Pier 30-32 SOM Rendering

San Francisco’s pitch to bring the next America’s Cup to The Bay includes providing the “free [use of] land and future development rights on the property in exchange for the America’s Cup event authority paying $100 million to $150 million to shore up the piers, dredge the area around them, and install new breakwaters and utility lines.”

At the center of it all, a proposed amphitheater at Piers 30-32 designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to be covered by “a tensile net structure evocative of a sail that would allow diffuse light through but provide shelter from rain, wind and direct sun.”

Teams would be based at Pier 50, event offices would occupy Pier 48, a temporary marina for mega-yachts would be built off the Brannan Street Wharf, and Pier 28 would become a media center.
The plan will soon be presented to San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors for approval with City officials pledging to have the facilities ready for racing by the end of 2012.

15 thoughts on “The Pitch To Sail The America’s Cup Into San Francisco’s Bay”
  1. Can anybody familiar with the Cup handicap the possibility of this actually happening? It would be great for San Francisco but is it even within the realm of possibilities or is it one of Larry’s plays to extract the most out of the two other competing cities?
    If it does happen can I hear a second for making the Pier 30-32 amphitheater a permanent venue rather than temporary?

  2. An amphitheatre would be nice there …. as long as they could keep the sound levels controlled so that nearby residents aren’t giving up their peace and quiet at home in the process, I’d be all for it personally. 🙂

  3. San Diego is already well ahead in this type of planning. It will be interesting to see which city wins since San Diego is a much larger city with deeper pockets and a strong will to keep its connection with the America’s Cup.

  4. Newport, Rhode Island is the third competing city (and the original “home” of the cup before it went to Australia) and they’re not able to make nearly as monied a pitch, but they and San Diego both have a better natural setup for the cup itself. I’ve heard from people in the sailing community that an America’s Cup in the Bay just wouldn’t work.

  5. I’ll second Michael’s motion to make the amphitheater a permanent structure if it actually gets built. It would be a great venue for special events, performances and concerts. But ready by 2012? Wouldn’t one environmental appeal blow that timeline right out of the water?

  6. Another argument for San Diego or Newport is that, in SF, Critical Mass will disrupt the race unless there are dedicated canoe lanes.

  7. I like how in the rendering Treasure Island already has high rises built. Is that the artist’s musing on the likelihood of this structure being built?

  8. I bet if you got the angle right, you could get the wind to funnel down the throat of the amphitheater, grabbing random folks from their seats, zinging them over the stage and out the back of the structure out into the bay where the same flotilla that picks up baseballs could do rescue work.
    Another “only in SF” experience.

  9. This is certainly a real possibility. In the past Mr. Onorato (the challenger) has brought his team out to race in the Big Boat Series so he knows what it’s like, as does Mr. Ellison.
    Sailors are generally excited – SF is world renowned in the racing community for its hairy afternoon breeze and currents. You should see how many events take place in less than 10kts of wind (yawn). The current rumor is to hold it in 70ft lightweight catamarans which could be very telegenic – though the bay might be too small for them.
    The estimate to renovate Piers 30-32 was $50M – $75M which would be significant but doable for the 10-12 syndicates expected if the AC comes to SF.

  10. “We’re very excited and hopeful,” said Jamie XXXXX, president of the nearby Rincon Hill Neighborhood Association. “The piers are falling into the bay, and the South of Market waterfront neighbors see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get their piers fixed.”
    looks like Socketsite has a celebrity. bravo.
    having this in SF would certainly really add to the waterfront. I have no idea if it is economically wise for SF to offer the package that it is offering or not since I know almost nothing about America’s cup. I’ve certainly never watched it nor do I know the financials of it. but it sounds cool, doesn’t it?

  11. Here it comes. The most revolutionary event in the history of the San Francisco waterfront.
    It may actually out do the importance of the first sailing ships to land in San Francisco in the 1840’s.
    The international exposure to our City that this “Green” (both environmental & $$$) event may last for decades. The winner of the AC34 will get to host the AC35, etc.
    Visit: http://www.oewd.org/Development_Projects-Americas_Cup.aspx
    http://www.som.com/content.cfm/americas_cup_planning_study
    http://www.oewd.org/media/docs/07_19_10.AmericasCupEconomicImpact.pdf
    Already new Countries, yesterday Sweden (Nov 9, 2010), are announcing their participation.
    The excitement of the new 72 foot long cataraman’s as the boat to be raced has caught the attention of the sailing world.
    The re-vitalization of the piers & waterfront, when the City nor Port has funds or the motivation to do so is immense.
    If the GGYC and Mr. Ellison picks San Francisco prepare to “Party”!!
    Frederick

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *