In the works for nearly 10 years, it appears the first phase of the renovation of the Marina District’s West Yacht Harbor is finally about to begin.

“Around June 1, we will start to demolish the aging docks,” says Mary Hobson, project manager for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. “All of this work will take place in the West Harbor – that’s the area west of the wave organ.”
The Recreation and Park Department procured a $23 million low-interest loan from the California Department of Boating and Waterways. The loan will be paid back through berth fees. There are 327 slips in the West Harbor. The East Harbor – adjacent to Fort Mason Center and known to the locals as Gashouse Cove – has another 343 slips.

Renovation work will include construction of new dock slips and gangways, improving disabled access, and replacing the pavement and signs. It will also include the construction of two new breakwaters at the entrance to the yacht harbor, with dredging to begin in June. Some of the boats now docked in the West Harbor will have to be moved during construction. Slips for 200 year-round permit holders will remain available throughout the project.

The harbor is in ramshackle condition, as it has not been renovated since 1963. This project is not without its controversy, however.
John Millar, president of the Marina Community Association, says his group welcomes the ambitious renovation, but holds some reservations about the new breakwaters.

“We were surprised that the breakwater – which we think presents an obstruction to people’s view – was passed by the Planning Department without public comment,” says Millar. “The breakwater plans were passed as an addendum to the EIR [environmental impact report]. The breakwater plan came back, and public comment was not part of the approval process. Addendums are usually small changes in a project. This is clearly not a small change.”

Overall, however, Millar and the Marina Community Association support the renovation plans.

“It certainly is long overdue,” says Millar.

That sentiment seems to be unanimous.

Bruce Stone, president of the Marina Harbor Association, is most pleased with the plans.

“Concrete will be used,” he says, “not wood. That will require less maintenance. We’re going to have a first-class harbor.”

It also appears that the berth rental fees will not be increased as expected, thanks to the efforts of District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell.

“As we were about to get the last installment of the loan from the California Department of Boating and Waterways, we were informed that the state required a reserve fund of $2 million to be set aside,” says Farrell.

“This meant there would have been an increase in berthing fees. That was something we did not want. We went through numerous meetings with the Recreation and Park Department. We finally found a way to avoid an increase in the fees after all.”

“This [project] has been a long time coming,” says Farrell. “It comes just in time for the America’s Cup. The Golden Gate Yacht Club, the home of the America’s Cup, will be right in the middle of the new harbor. It’s going to be a great public place.”

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Visit the West Harbor Renovation Project website at: www.sfmarina-renovate.org

CONTACT INFORMATION:

West Harbor Renovation Project questions: Mary A. Hobson, project director S.F. Recreation and Park Department 30 Van Ness Avenue, 5th Floor San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415-581-2575 E-mail: [email protected]

Access and public use questions: Benny Jarvis, acting harbor master 3950 Scott Street San Francisco, CA 94123 Phone: 415-831-6322 E-mail: [email protected]