In mid-December, both the San Francisco Planning Commission and the San Francisco Port Commission voted unanimously to certify the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the 34th America’s Cup.

Key changes to the original project include the preservation of San Francisco Bay views from Rincon Point (location of the Cupid’s Arrow sculpture along the Embarcadero), additional mitigation measures to reduce air quality impacts, and a reduced scope of vehicle lane closure along the Embarcadero.

“The certification of this EIR is a great endorsement of a project that reflects the values of San Francisco and the input of people, and we thank the mayor, his staff, and the planning commission for their diligence during the environmental review process,” said Richard Worth, chairman and CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “Now we continue the exciting work of staging a model sporting event and bringing thousands of spectators and millions of dollars to San Francisco.”

In addition to the certifications, the details of the project agreement for the 34th America’s Cup were also shared. The agreement outlines as much as $100 million to be invested into port property and includes significant upgrades to both facilities and waterfront infrastructure, including Pier 54 in Mission Bay (this was in lieu of original plans at Piers 14 to 22½) and a new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27. The planned development allowed for under the agreement also realizes the goals of the waterfront land-use plan by providing greater short-term and long-term public access to the waterfront.

“This agreement represents an unprecedented investment into our waterfront, generating thousands of jobs and allowing for a major international sporting event to be held in our Bay’s natural amphitheater,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “The agreement also accelerates key infrastructure improvements such as the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal and protects open water views from Rincon Park for the public.”

The agreement sets forth the obligations of the America’s Cup Event Authority to improve port property for the event; governs Port of San Francisco review and approval of the scope of work for improvements to port property performed by the Event Authority; governs the conditions for delivery of the venue leases to the Event Authority; and sets forth the means to reimburse the Event Authority for its improvements on port property. The San Francisco Port Commission voted to approve this agreement as well on Dec. 16.

“The Port and City have taken a monumental step forward today in fulfilling their commitments under the America’s Cup Host and Venue Agreement and did so under intense time constraints,” said America’s Cup Organizing Committee chairman Mark Buell after the commission’s approval. “On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I commend the City’s America’s Cup project team as well as the Event Authority in coming together to finalize the deal that will bring the world’s attention and significant economic benefits to San Francisco.”

The unanimous approvals of the EIR from the Port and Planning Commissions have been appealed, however, by four neighborhood and environmental groups: the Telegraph Hill Dwellers, San Francisco Tomorrow, the Golden Gate Audubon Society, and Waterfront Watch. Until the appeals are heard, construction of any new facilities will be on hold – which could spell problems with only seven months left before Cup events begin.

The first events on San Francisco Bay are the America’s Cup World Series races scheduled for Aug. 11–19, 2012 and Aug. 27–Sept. 2, 2012. The America’s Cup venue will then return to our shores for the main events starting on July 4, 2013, when the competition to capture the America’s Cup trophy begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup challenge. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup earns the right to compete in the America’s Cup finals against cup-holder Team Oracle. The final races are scheduled for Sept. 7–22, 2013.