Officials Begin San Francisco Marina Harbor Facelift

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – The San Francisco Marina Harbor will figure prominently in the upcoming America's Cup yacht race, but it's been in a state of disrepair for decades.

That's all about to change with the start of a $25 million project to renovate the harbor's west basin in time for the event.

"This marina has not been touched in 50 years. There's going to be a new slip configuration, brand new docks," said Phil Ginsburg with San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department. "It's going to be a fantastic project."

KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:

Ginsburg said the project to replace damaged docks, pilings, gangways and outdated utilities has been in the works for 20 years.

"We are at long last about to make this the world class harbor that it deserves," said Ginsburg.

Bruce Stone, who represents nearly half of the Marina's slip owners, said the cost is being paid for with increased berth fees.

"Teams come from all over the world. There are so many international championships being held out of this harbor," he said. "We're really excited in the fact that it will be a new harbor."

Wood salvaged from the project is being donated to help temporarily rebuild the Crescent City Harbor, which was heavily damaged in the March tsunami.

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