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

Durban Waterfront Renovation To Complete Ahead of Schedule

Durban expects to finish upgrades to its Golden Mile of beachfront by May 30, ahead of previous deadlines it had set to be ready in time for the World Cup. The 200 million Rand (~$26.4 million USD) upgrade plan includes new restaurants along the shore and a new 6km pedestrian promenade.

On Friday, workers were busy putting the final touches to four restaurants decorated in yellow, red and green stones.

Grass and trees were also being planted along the promenade, which stretches from uShaka Marine World to the Suncoast Casino near the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The only thing that makes the beach area still look like a construction site are workers still busy with paving, drilling or final touches.

Durban's R200m beach upgrade
News 24
May 14, 2010