Embarcadero Seawall Will Get a Facelift
A bond measure passed yesterday that will put over $400 million into repairing the Embarcadero seawall in San Francisco. The century-old wall is in severe need of repairs, but is also being buttressed in preparation for climate change.
The Embarcadero seawall, which is over 100 years old, is in “desperate need of repair,” according to the Port of San Francisco. The seawall is also in need of upgrades to bolster it against earthquakes and rising sea levels. “Today, king tides flood the Embarcadero Promenade,” the Port said.
Proposition A passed yesterday with 82% support, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“The Seawall supports key utility and transportation infrastructure including the BART, Muni, and ferry transportation networks. It also supports critical emergency response and recovery areas on the Embarcadero and provides flood protection for downtown San Francisco,” the Port said, adding that the Embarcadero represents “over $100 billion in economic activity and assets along the waterfront.”
Many local sailors know that in general, the Bay Area’s boating infrastructure is in an abominable state. While not directly tied to Proposition A or the Embarcadero seawall, we thought this was a good chance for us to complain about the state of affairs along one of the world’s wealthiest waterfronts.
We often hear stories of gleaming, awe-inspiring docks and facilities in Washington State, New England, Europe and other destinations. It is simply beyond comprehension to us that with all the wealth being accumulated just a few blocks from the Bay, how is it that San Francisco and surrounding waterfronts don’t get a little of those trickle-down funds to repair, replace and rebuild their boating infrastructure?
If you have any thoughts — or even better, complaints — on this, we’d like to hear. (With our new website, you can also comment on this story below.)
In other maritime-midterm news
We came across this charming story from BuzzFeed: “Area dad and former BuzzFeed News reporter McKay Coppins thought his 5-year-old daughter Ellie was upset when she didn’t get to go voting with her parents on Tuesday. So Coppins took her back to the polling station and explained the wonders of democracy to her. Turns out, Ellie wanted to go boating, not voting.”
SF bay is one of the most awesome places to sail on the planet. The down side is SF doesn’t have many places for boaters to dock or anchor over night or even just for a few hours. Pier 1-1/2 has only a few spaces and very rocky from ferry wakes. I wish there were more places in the city front to dock and visit, more boater welcoming.