Photo courtesy Gilles Martin-Raget, Americascup.com
By Luke Thomas
October 4, 2010
Three of the five leading candidates in the race to succeed District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly have responded to an FCJ request seeking comment on San Francisco’s bid to host the 34th America’s Cup in 2013.
The event, which is projected to generate as many as 9,000 jobs and much as $1.2 billion in economic activity, according to the mayor’s office, would require significant investment in construction repairs to Piers 30-32 and Pier 50.
The funds needed to repair the piers, estimated at $270 million, would be raised from sponsors and businesses, San Francisco officials have promised.
Under the term sheet agreement drawn up by the mayor’s office, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison would be gifted rent-free leases for up to 75 years as well as exclusive pier development rights, an inducement to discourage Ellison from choosing an alternative location for the race.
“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,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “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.”
Supervisor Daly, who terms out of office in January, has expressed opposition to San Francisco hosting the event. “It’s a billionaire’s regatta,” Daly told the SFAppeal. “Why are we going out to raise $270 million for Larry fucking Ellison? San Francisco should not be going so out of its way, using the people’s money so that a billionaire can have his yacht race,” adding, “Your average person struggling to make it by in San Francisco, is not going to benefit from the America’s Cup.”
Of the leading candidates vying to replace Daly, a list that includes Jane Kim, James Keys, Jim Meko, Theresa Sparks and Debra Walker, Keys is the only candidate so far who shares Daly’s objections. Keys is endorsed by Daly.
Sparks did not return calls seeking comment. Kim said she “does not have a comment about America’s cup right now.”
Here’s what Keys, Meko and Walker said:
James Keys:
There has certainly been much pomp and circumstance regarding San Francisco’s bid to host the 2013 America’s Cup. However, I think that it is important to wade through all of the hype to figure out whether hosting this event would be beneficial for everyday San Franciscans.
Given the details of San Francisco’s proposed bid, it is clear that hosting the America’s Cup will not be beneficial for San Francisco. Further I am concerned about impacts of the mega event on San Francisco’s poor — in particular those living in the South of Market, Tenderloin, and North Mission neighborhoods.
It is widely known that economic projections made by boosters of mega-events are often over-optimistic. A recently conducted study by the Bay Area Council claims that the America’s Cup would add $13 million (after accounting for Police and other costs.) But this figure does not include the costs of additional investments the City would need to make in Port infrastructure, the cost of advertising space, or the City’s cost to raise $270 million in private donations.
Further, Piers 30-32 and Pier 50 are in District 6. I have serious concerns about the wisdom of turning over this most valuable space to a billionaire for a period of 75 years and have many questions about what type of development would go there and how the City and its residents would benefit from such development.
I have heard many reports of mega-events, like Olympics and Super Bowls, leading to mass sweeps of poor and homeless people in inner-city areas. I have witnessed the police sweeping the Tenderloin for Presidential visits to San Francisco. In the City of St. Francis, this is not acceptable. I would hope that this City spends as much time, energy, and resources on finding decent, affordable housing and appropriate services for those in need as it has to woo a billionaire’s boat race.”
Community organizer James Keys and Supervisor Chris Daly.
Jim Meko:
I am enthusiastically behind bringing the America’s Cup here. Frankly, it would be cool. I know the public is being asked to be involved in the fundraising. As usual, I would like to see a community based task force involved in the planning for the event. The Board of Supes should attach this as a requirement for the approval of the overall plan. We must have an active and legitimate role. I’m particularly concerned about the long-range commitments being made. The only way to ensure this is clean is to put an open process in place immediately.
Entertainment Commissioner Jim Meko.
Debra Walker:
As we work to bring America’s Cup here, which I support, there are important considerations we need to keep in mind to make sure the Cup benefits everyone in San Francisco. We need to ensure proper oversight and controls to make sure the city and our communities really benefit–but these concerns can be dealt with appropriately and shouldn’t get in the way of bringing this great opportunity to San Francisco. Let’s just do it right.
Building Inspections Commissioner Debra Walker.
Editor’s Note: Luke Thomas is a resident and voter in District 6. In the interest of transparency, he has provided photography services to the campaigns of Jane Kim, Jim Meko and Debra Walker.
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Follow Me:
The Hunger Site
October 5, 2010 at 5:36 pm
I watched as Knoxville took a bath on a world expo, Atlanta, Los Angels, and many other cities through out the world has taken bathes on the Olympics.
Not enough research has been done on how prior deals of the cup has tolled upon on other places that have hosted it. Track records of these events aren’t fiscal feasible.
An event such as the cup is good business for San Francisco is good in name, but may not be good for it’s bottom line. Or it may be. What would be in good name is if the cup committee would choose San Francisco and guarantee to cover all costs, and invest. That would give the cup prestige. Pay for the fix ups and then ask for recompense as part of the deal. But in increments. That’s a good deal isn’t it?
October 5, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Missed the big one?
Hey, new City Hall manager (Reit) last week called for curtailing parties in the supes’ offices. No one read that? He wants to keep guests to 30 for supes but hundreds for those renting the rotunda.
Says he doesn’t like noise from supe offices but is OK with an orchestra playing downstairs. Where’s Chiu on this?
h.
October 5, 2010 at 11:32 am
Hope,
You stole my thunder.
They killed Halloween in the Castro, they cancelled Love, they’re doing their best to shut down Bay to Breakers, and they’re waging a continuing war on nightclubs. Oh, but if you want a yacht race for billionaires, Come On In! SF is open for business!
I guess the War on Fun is only waged on ordinary people’s fun. Fun for billionaires is just fine. What the hell kind of a city is this becoming?
I especially love this part:
“Under the term sheet agreement drawn up by the mayor’s office, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison would be gifted rent-free leases for up to 75 years as well as exclusive pier development rights, an inducement to discourage Ellison from choosing an alternative location for the race.”
The city GIVES, and the billionaire is ENCOURAGED to do something. Oh, such a deal! Hey, can I get a deal from Larry Ellison where he would sell me one of his crappy computers or something, and structure it so that he would be bound to deliver the product, and I would be “encouraged” to pay for it?
Debra, Jim… where is your common sense?
October 5, 2010 at 10:02 am
In contrast, let’s now ask these candidates their views on Halloween in the Castro, the Pride Parade, Bay to Breakers, Dia de Los Muertos, the Exotic Erotic Ball, LovEvolution, and art parties at City Hall, all of which have either already been canceled or lack funding.
Because it’s starting to look like the only events approved in SF now are for the politically correct (Sunday Streets) and those groups with enough money to own the most expensive toys (America’s Cup, Symphony Galas, etc.) or who promote the military industrial complex (Blue Angels).
October 5, 2010 at 6:33 am
Ya want “prestige and class,” go to Pacific Heights, down Lake Street to Presidio Terrace for your “prestige and class.”
The race will be in the ocean, not in the bay, right? How long will these yachts be visible from the bay shore anyway?
-marc
October 4, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Hey Doug,
I have no problem with the sea. I was a radioman in the Navy. I love to watch great ships and the new technology in such an old art as sailing inspires my old bones.
My problem is giving 75 years of control over these properties AFTER the race is over. Can you imagine the French letting the Olympics maintain control of Grenoble (sp?) for 75 years after the event? Any other event on the face of the earth ask for a permanent (semi) ownership of the fair grounds?
It’s crazy and the supes are selling out more of our City’s gems. Hopefully they are bought and paid for. Otherwise, they’re just stupid and full of vanity.
Being the eternal optimist, I choose option two.
Go Giants!
h.
October 4, 2010 at 9:29 pm
What does it bring to San Francisco? A much needed thing called prestige and class, so lacking in S.F. for many,many years. Make a better deal with L. Ellison and let it go.
Doug Stephens – Lowell High School, Class of ’57. Member of Sea Scout Ship Reliance, Aquatic Park.
October 4, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Will the Board of Supervisors go down like $3 whores, or will they merely fold like chairs?
-marc
October 4, 2010 at 10:59 am
Without being detracted, what does San Francisco get for its $270 mil. Um, investment in its deteriorating water front?
October 4, 2010 at 10:04 am
Hey, we’d all like to watch the America’s Cup races in SF Bay. That goes without saying. But, what do we give away to do it? The price Larry Ellison is asking is positively insane and so far every member of the BOS except for Chris Daly is willing to go away with the multi-billion dollar giveaway.
Give them Piers 30-32, Pier 50 and Seawall Lot 331? Any idea what that’s worth on the open market with a 75 year renewable lease? Neither does the City cause they didn’t check that out.
What the fuck you think they’ll want to build there after their confab of rich yachters is over? Well, they’re asking the State to remove the requirement that the deal go through an EIR and the State has a very recent precedent to cite when they do so having given another billionaire San Diego County (?) such an out when he decided to do a ‘Field of Dreams’ thing and build a stadium without having a team. And, they went for it!
Locally, take the case of the Giants when they wanted the City to finance a new stadium for them. Two or three times they went to the voters and said they were headed for faraway places if we didn’t roll over and spread em.
We refused and they stayed. Oh, we gave them the land for their stadium but unlike this America’s Cup fiasco the team performs here at least 85 times a year and they are a constant boost to the economy.
These are deals that this 2008 Class will approve today at the (Land Use) committee level and that’s a shame. Like the State, they have recent precedence. They gave away Harding and Fleming Golf Courses just a couple of weeks back, handing control of another couple of billion in land to the upper class.
Can’t have been more than a year or so back that the Class of 2008 gave 720 acres of shorefront land in the Bay View (including the best chunk of a State park that Mark Leno – again) to Lennar for $1.
These deals today suck and it’s because the Class of 2008 and their President, David Chiu are in the pockets of the wealthy.
A real fucking shame.
October 4, 2010 at 9:33 am
When Money Talks
Kudos to Daly and Keys for seeing this financial manipulation for what it is.
Isn’t it partially tailored to divert our attention from Fleet Week and the return of the Blue Angels?
What is so different about this and the ploy to take away control of Candlestick State Park?
Or a slew of other insidious corporate invasions of public heritage in space and time?
Maybe I am out of step, feeling as I do that Lucy will pull this ball again from Charlie Brown’s kick. Logic tells me that I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. (Although this gift is to Ellison isn’t it?)
As the third richest man in America I have never viewed Larry Ellison as little more than a man-child who sheds wives, whose pool sports a massive sub-woofer, who manages to hop from failure to failure with more money (and less employees?) than he started out with.
Something doesn’t add up about him for me.
Like the San Francisco Academy of Art, with its massive real estate holdings and incredible profits, its struggle to be accredited, its high tuition, its D grade graduation rate, and its awkward name.
What does Oracle do exactly? What does it make or do better?
Maybe I am incredibly naive. Sigh.
More on For-Profit Universities:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/jul2010/univ-j21.shtml
October 4, 2010 at 7:10 am
Kudos to James, Jim, and Debra for taking a position on what may be one of the defining issues in District 6 for the next 4 to, um, 75 years. As for the others, I understand the urge to shy away from difficult issues, but if you are elected, you will no longer have that opportunity.
The resolution to support San Francisco’s bid for the America’s Cup is up at Land Use Committee today and on the Board’s imperative calendar tomorrow. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.