The hope for a 140-foot JumboTron-carrying barge in Aquatic Park for the America’s Cup was sunk Tuesday after members of swimming clubs blasted the plan.
The elimination of that proposal helped secure the Board of Supervisors’ unanimous rejection of two appeals of the environmental impact report completed for the upcoming 34th America’s Cup regatta.
The decision means The City remains on track to host the much-hyped event.
The America’s Cup Event Authority had planned to broadcast the yacht racing action on a 40-by-22-foot screen on top of the barge. But it was one of the most criticized elements of the authority’s plan during Tuesday’s hearing.
Dolphin Club and South End Rowing Club members who swim in Aquatic Park said it would pose a safety hazard and stir up toxic sediment.
Mary Murphy, an attorney for the authority, agreed to eliminate that proposal and said the organization will instead locate the screen on land.
A coalition of groups, including the Sierra Club and Golden Gate Audubon Society, had filed the environmental impact report appeals, arguing the document failed to adequately address water and air pollution and noise and impacts on birds.
The next challenge facing the America’s Cup is the board’s vote on the development agreement between The City and the event authority. Supervisors on Tuesday indicated that they plan to improve the initial agreement to ensure The City will receive more money out of the deal.
The board’s budget committee is expected to hold a Feb. 8 hearing on the agreement.
The 34th America’s Cup
$1.4B Regional economic activity expected to be generated by event
8,000 Jobs event is expected to create
500,000 Maximum number of spectators estimated for peak days of event
Source: America’s Cup
Event Authority
