FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, 415-554-6131

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MAYOR LONDON BREED, SENATOR SCOTT WIENER, ASSEMBLYMEMBER DAVID CHIU, SUPERVISOR AARON PESKIN, AND CITY LEADERS APPLAUD PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION A TO STREGTHEN THE EMBARCADERO SEAWALL

$425 million General Obligation bond will fund life safety improvements to the San Francisco waterfront

San Francisco, CA— Mayor London N. Breed, Senator Scott Wiener, Assemblymember David Chiu, Supervisor Aaron Peskin, City Administrator Naomi Kelly, and numerous other City leaders joined together to thank San Francisco voters and applaud the approval of Proposition A, the $425 million General Obligation bond to address urgent life safety improvements to the San Francisco waterfront.

The Seawall Program is a citywide effort to strengthen the Embarcadero Seawall and create a more sustainable and resilient waterfront. The current vote tally according to the San Francisco Department of Elections has the measure passing with over 80% of the vote.

“San Franciscans voted resoundingly to strengthen the Embarcadero Seawall,” said Mayor Breed. “Our city understands the urgency of being prepared not only for the next big earthquake, but also for the eventual impacts of climate change and sea level rise. This is an important step to ensure a safe waterfront for everyone.”

The Embarcadero Seawall stretches over three miles of waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf to just beyond AT&T Park. The Seawall sits over unstable mud and is vulnerable to lateral spreading and settlement in a major earthquake. If the Seawall were to fail it could destroy or seriously damage critical utilities, transportation infrastructure, and buildings along the Embarcadero. The Seawall underpins the Embarcadero Historic District and provides flood protection to over 500 acres of the city and regional transportation systems, including the BART and Muni Metro underground transit network.

“Protecting San Francisco from sea level rise and earthquakes will be one of the most important projects of our generation, and I’m pleased to see that San Francisco voters see the value of this investment,” said Supervisor Peskin, who sits on both the California Coastal Commission and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, and was the lead sponsor of the General Obligation bond. “The time is now to ensure a safe and resilient waterfront for San Francisco residents and visitors alike.”

With $425 million in general obligation bond funding approved by voters, the Port has identified funding sources for the full $500 million needed in Phase I for life safety improvements. Current and planned funding includes a $425 million local General Obligation bond, a grant from the State of California ($5 million), as well as contributions from the San Francisco Planning Department and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency ($2 million) and the Port ($14 million). Additionally, the Port is pursuing State legislation to support the remaining funding need to the Seawall Program through the Port’s Infrastructure Financing District. Full infrastructure improvements to the Embarcadero Seawall are estimated to cost up to $5 billion and will require continued investments from local, state, federal, and private partners.

“I commend San Franciscans for approving Prop A funds to strengthen the Embarcadero Seawall,” said Senator Wiener. “I look forward to working closely with the Port of San Francisco and the City of San Francisco as we leverage these local funds with state and federal dollars to make sure San Francisco is safe.”

“Passing Prop A was a must – and now we will do whatever we can to leverage this local funding at the state level to ensure San Francisco has a safe waterfront for future generations,” said Assemblymember Chiu.

“This is an important down payment on one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in our city – not just for seismic safety, but for sea level rise,” said City Administrator Kelly, who chairs the Capital Planning Committee. “I’m proud of San Francisco for voting to responsibly invest in this vital Program and the safety of our city.”

“I’m thrilled by the results on Prop A. On behalf of the entire Port team, we will work hard to ensure the Seawall Program meets the strict standards of accountability, fiscal responsibility, and transparency San Francisco voters expect and deserve,” said San Francisco Port Commission President Kimberly Brandon.

The Seawall Program is led by the Port of San Francisco, in consultation with the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Peskin’s Office, City Administrator’s Office, City Controller’s Office, Department of Emergency Management, Department of the Environment, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco Public Works, the San Francisco Planning Department, and the San Francisco Airport.  In addition, stakeholders for the Program include Port of San Francisco tenants, the residents of San Francisco, and state and federal partners.

“The Port is incredibly grateful to San Francisco voters for approving these funds in order to keep our waterfront safe and plan for sea level rise,” said Port of San Francisco Executive Director Elaine Forbes. “Our talented Seawall team is already working to ensure an efficient and expeditious rebuild and repair of the most critical life safety areas of the Seawall.”

The Port of San Francisco manages the waterfront as the gateway to a world-class city, and advances environmentally and financially sustainable maritime, recreational and economic opportunities to serve the San Francisco Bay Area and California.

For more information on the Seawall Program, visit sfseawall.com.

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