San Francisco Plans $17 Billion Waterfront Overhaul to Combat Rising Seas
San Francisco has unveiled an ambitious $17 billion plan to protect its iconic waterfront from the impacts of rising sea levels, which are projected to increase by 3.5 feet by the end of the century (KQED, 2026). The San Francisco Waterfront Coastal Flood Study, published on July 31 in the Federal Register, outlines a comprehensive strategy to address flood risks along the port's 7.5-mile jurisdiction, spanning from the Marina District to Hunters Point. The plan includes raising the Ferry Building by 7 feet, constructing a taller and wider seawall, and implementing nature-based solutions like living seawalls. Without these measures, the port estimates $23 billion in damages over the next century. The project, developed in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is expected to take decades to complete and faces significant funding challenges. 
