AC-N-SF by the Mayor and the Supes

It ain’t 500 million euros, but it ain’t chicken feed either. Officials working in the Mayor’s office of workforce and economic development are promising the Defenders of America’s Cup, Golden Gate Yacht Club and BMW Oracle Racing, that the city will raise $270 million in corporate sponsorship to support the event if the 2013 match is set in San Francisco Bay. The Mayor’s office today released a statement —

MAYOR NEWSOM AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INTRODUCE AGREEMENT FOR HOSTING THE 34TH AMERICA’S CUP IN SAN FRANCISCO

SF Mayor’s Office Press Release

Term sheet formally sets forth essential terms and conditions agreed upon by the America’s Cup Committee of the Golden Gate Yacht Club

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Gavin Newsom, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi and other members of the Board of Supervisors today introduced the formal agreement to host the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. The purpose of the agreement, or term sheet, is to set forth essential terms and conditions agreed upon by the America’s Cup Committee of the Golden Gate Yacht Club and the City of San Francisco with the Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup. If San Francisco is selected to host the 34th America’s Cup, the term sheet provides a framework for promptly negotiating a legally binding Host City Agreement and establishing the terms and conditions under which the San Francisco would be prepared to host the America’s Cup event, subject to all necessary approvals and environmental review required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In addition to Mayor Newsom, Board of Supervisors President Chiu and Supervisor Mirkarimi, the agreement was also initially co-sponsored by Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier, Carmen Chu, Bevan Dufty, and Sophie Maxwell.

“We believe there’s no better place on earth than San Francisco Bay to defend the America’s Cup and bring millions of new fans from around the world to the oldest international sailing competition,” said Mayor Newsom. “This agreement establishes the strong partnership between the City, the BMW Oracle Racing Team and the entire community if San Francisco is fortunate to be selected as the Host City for the 34th America’s Cup. The entire City and State of California are united behind bringing the America’s Cup – and all the economic benefits, jobs and excitement that come with it – to San Francisco.”

Hosting the America’s Cup in San Francisco would bring a beautiful backdrop, predictable winds, world-class visitor amenities and enormous spectatorship opportunities that the natural marine amphitheater of the San Francisco Bay offers. In order to provide the Team with reasonable assurances regarding a number of important issues, including the venue plan, key financial terms, sponsorship opportunities, schedule and event logistics, City staff have negotiated a term sheet with the team for endorsement by the Board of Supervisors.

“We are fully united in our efforts to bring the America’s Cup to San Francisco, and this term sheet outlines the framework of these efforts to highlight San Francisco as the only location for this event,” said Board of Supervisors President David Chiu. “San Franciscans would love to see this world class sailing race on our world class waterfront. The economy of the entire San Francisco Bay Area region will benefit exponentially from hosting the America’s Cup in Spring 2013.”

Hosting the Event in San Francisco would generate significant public benefits for the City, including providing a catalyst for the repair, improvement and productive reuse of City piers along the City’s central and southern waterfront that are currently in a such state of grave disrepair that there is no other viable plan to pay for the needed repairs. Hosting the America’s Cup would also generate an enormous amount of economic development in a very short period of time, including over 9,000 jobs and more than $1.4 billion of new economic activity.

“Having been exposed during my youth to sailing and the America’s Cup, I know we have everything race organizers need, including the expertise and will, to host the ‘World Cup’ of Sailing and make this event a monumental success,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. “The San Francisco Bay will provide a breathtaking arena which will enable millions of everyday people to enjoy the excitement of this historic sport as never before.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the City will meet the following schedule regarding the 34th America’s Cup:

· October 2010-October 2011 – Complete all studies and documentation to support environmental review and permitting for the Event. On a parallel course and during that same period, the Port and the Event Authority will finalize the terms of the long term Event Lease documents that will permit all of the uses related to the Event and any currently approved longer-term development uses for the Legacy Sites.
· November 2011 – Present long term Event Lease, environmental review documentation and permits for approval.
· December 2011-December 2012 – Complete infrastructure improvements.
· Spring 2013 – Commence the 34th America’s Cup.

Mayor Newsom and City staff has facilitated extensive public outreach regarding the 34th America’s Cup. As a result, a number of regulatory, environmental and local community organizations have already pledged support for the Event and will play important roles in meeting the schedule set forth above, including the following:

· State of California – both the State Legislature (SCR124) and Governor Schwarzenegger
· Port of San Francisco
· Recreation and Parks Commission
· Bay Conservation and Development Commission
· Metropolitan Transportation Commission
· San Francisco International Airport
· Golden Gate National Recreation Area
· The Bar Pilots Association
· The Water Emergency Transit Agency
· The San Francisco Maritime Commerce and Bay Council
· The Sierra Club
· Save the Bay
· Environmental Defense Fund
· Planning and Conservation League of California
· Clean Water Action CA
· Golden Gate Audubon Society
· CA League of Conservation Voters
· San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
· The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
· The Bay Area Council