By
Rebecca Gibson |
San Francisco mayor Ed Lee opened the city’s new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 on 25 September.
Named in honour of James R Herman, former port commissioner and president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the Pier 27 Cruise Terminal accommodates 2,600 passengers and is able to handle ships with up to 4,000 guests.
The terminal has computerised access control and security monitoring systems, vessel data connectivity to terminal network systems, and both hardwired and wireless operating networks. It also offers advanced passenger and perimeter security features, while parking and drop-off areas are available next to the Embarcadero Roadway within the interior of the 13-acre pier.
Passengers are able to board ships via a new glass-enclosed, automated mobile gangway, which can be connected to the varied door heights of new cruise ships. When berthed at the port, ships can plug into a 12-megawatt shore power system to receive the cleanest source of power.
“The new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 is a legacy project that will welcome more passengers, visitors and residents to our world-class waterfront for generations to come,” said Mayor Lee. “This major port infrastructure project that is being delivered on time and on budget is the centerpiece of the Bay Area’s cruise industry, providing jobs, boosting tourism and providing a significant economic impact to our city.”
On non-cruise days, the cruise terminal can be used as an event centre, while people can visit an expansive lawn with more than 50 benches outside the Embarcadero front of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal.
“The new cruise terminal represents so much more than just a gateway to welcome passengers to our great city,” said Monique Moyer, port executive director. “It represents a commitment to cruising for at least another century. Plus, it showcases maritime operations side-by-side with recreation, public access and environmental stewardship.”
San Francisco’s 91,000 sq ft terminal is housed in a two-storey building and was designed by KMD Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz, Pfau Long Architecture, and JV Bermello Ajamil & Partners, while the construction was carried out by Turner Construction in collaboration with San Francisco Public Works and the port.
The terminal was constructed using sustainable design practices in accordance with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standard, a green building certification programme. The port aims to achieve Silver LEED certification for its energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems; a roof drainage system that sends rainwater to storage tanks where it is used to flush toilets and for landscape irrigation; indoor plumbing fixtures that operate 40% more efficiently; and its parking facilities for fuel-efficient vehicles. The terminal was also built with recycled and Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, while non- and low-toxicity adhesives, sealants, paints and flooring systems were used. In addition, more than 75% of construction waste materials were recycled, rather than sent to landfill.