In response to Sandra who wrote:
Leave the Tenth Avenue Terminal as is. There is plenty of room to build a Cruise Ship Terminal and dock several ships between the Tenth Avenue Terminal and South Embarcadero Marina Park South. Traffic to service the passengers would come down 8th Avenue (Park Blvd); traffic to service the ships, down 10th Avenue. Harbor Drive could be narrowed to two lanes serving only the museums and restaurants with plenty of area for civic amenities and open space.
There are two issues with fitting the cruise ship terminal behind the Convention Center. It takes deep water for a cruise ship dock and this is a shallow-drafted area. More importantly in this case, however, is that the port is in the last phase of a $14 million environmental mitigation project, which caps toxic contaminants left by a former shipyard. The cap cannot be disturbed by the installation of piers or docks.
Sandra also wrote:
Maybe a better consideration would be: What are the consequences if we don’t build a pretty and inviting waterfront. We have an opportunity to create a world-class postcard image. The Roberts/Peace plan is brilliant; particularly their idea of moving the Cruise Ship Terminal down to 10th Avenue. We don’t need anymore large structures (even if for a day at a time) blocking our visual access to the bay. Please consider stepping aside and allowing a new Commissioner with fresh eyes and an open mind to fill the soon to be vacant seat.
After approximately 70 public meetings, we believe we have a world-class North Embarcadero plan. There were about 30 meetings of the North Embarcadero JPA over the last 10 years. In addition there were about five public sessions on the Environmental Impact Report. Last year, the port and CCDC held two or three open houses showcasing the schematic plans. While the JPA was developing the schematic plans, approximately 15 public sessions were held. Another 20 public meetings dealt with specific details of the plan.
This plan incorporates every amenity that could be enjoyed in this relatively small area —everything from parklands and plazas, a new cruise ship terminal where passengers arrive and depart, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas and places to sit, relax and enjoy the bay.
We believe this plan maximizes the ability of our citizens and visitors to utilize this area.
— STEVE CUSHMAN