Kyri Mclellan, the lead project manager from the mayor's office, had a good day yesterday when all her hard work paid off when the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to support the 'Term Sheet' allowing the city to negotiate a final agreement with team BMW/Oracle.
Kyri had this to say about the board vote, 'I'm pleased to let you know that today the Board of Supervisors endorsed, by a vote of 9-2, the resolution and term sheet containing the City's America's Cup proposal. This came on the heels of a very positive hearing yesterday where dozens of members of the public came out and spoke in support of the resolution. Specifically we had members of the local maritime industry, sailors from the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors, reps from youth sailing organizations, members of yacht clubs and associations from throughout the Bay Area, residents from the South Beach neighborhood.... - it was a chorus of voices.
Now we build on this endorsement and move into negotiating the Host City Agreement.'
The mayor followed up with his own announcement of support for the positive Cup progress:
MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM’S STATEMENT ON AGREEMENT FOR HOSTING THE 34TH AMERICA’S CUP IN SAN FRANCISCO
Mayor Gavin Newsom today issued the following statement after the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the term sheet for hosting the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco:
“San Francisco Bay and its natural amphitheater is the best place on earth to defend the America’s Cup and bring millions of new fans to sailing from around the world. The Board today affirmed the City’s commitment to be a strong partner to the BMW ORACLE Racing Team and to the Golden Gate Yacht Club if we are fortunate to be selected as the Host City. I want to thank and acknowledge the leadership and vision of President Chiu, Supervisor Mirkarimi and other Board members who stand with us, united behind bringing the America’s Cup to San Francisco and all the economic benefits, jobs and excitement that come with it.”
For detailed coverage of the hearing have a read of Paul Oliva's excellent report here.