San Francisco Looks to Host 2013 America's Cup

Officials in San Francisco have approved the city's bid to host the 2013 America's Cup, an international sailing race. Major infrastructure upgrades would be built if the city wins the bid. The decision will be made by the end of the year.

Ellison’s team is actually sponsored by the city’s Golden Gate Yacht Club, and all the supervisors had to agree to was some $80 million in infrastructure upgrades and long-term leases on select pieces of waterfront property. After the 11-0 vote was handed down, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom quickly signed the order. If the city had not approved the bid by Friday, San Francisco’s chances would’ve been severely hampered, as race organizers wanted some assurances before making a final decision.

San Francisco Close to Securing America’s Cup
Wired
December 15, 2010

San Francisco Eyes Waterfront Redevelopment for America's Cup Bid

The City of San Francisco has unveiled a broad waterfront redevelopment plan in accordance with its bid to host the America's Cup.

[I]f city officials are successful in their plan to host the next America's Cup, the drab Piers 30-32 would be transformed into a striking bayfront amphitheater and sailing showplace - a focal point of a revived waterfront stretching from the Bay Bridge to south of AT&T Park - all without tapping taxpayer funds.

Under a proposal that Mayor Gavin Newsom's administration recently presented to race organizers, the city would provide free 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.

San Francisco's plan for hosting America's Cup
San Francisco Chronicle
September 4, 2010