Pier 27 cruise terminal completed Phase 1 early; port outlines Phase 2 and America's Cup use

Port project staff told commissioners the James R. Herman Passenger Cruise Ship Terminal achieved substantial completion for Phase 1 ahead of schedule and described Phase 2 work that will follow the America's Cup events.

"Our project achieved substantial completion for Phase 1 ahead of schedule on February 28th of this year and received a temporary certificate of occupancy on the same day," Kim Von Blahn, Port Project Director for the Cruise Terminal project, said. She said final commissioning items (including shore power energization) and installation of a Port of San Francisco roof sign remain and that the signs exact erection timing was not yet settled with the event authority.

Daley Dunham, port coordinator for the America's Cup, described event authority tenant improvements and branding packages, including a media center on the bottom floor sized to accommodate about 350 foreign and domestic journalists and several VIP sponsor suites on the upper floor. He said the event authority had submitted building permit plans and that the port was running a concurrent review to expedite processing.

Commissioners asked about insurance and responsibility for any damages while the event authority has use of the facility; Dunham said the event authority is responsible for returning the terminal in the condition it received and that inspections were conducted before handover to document preexisting conditions.

Staff estimated Phase 2 substantial completion in August 2014 for building and site work with some components (mobile gangway system) possibly extending to year-end, and said they would seek to accelerate the schedule where feasible.

No vote was taken; staff will continue coordination with the event authority and return with construction and permitting updates.