Rob AriasA new site promoting itself as “Everything Emeryville” has recently hit the interwebz. Co-sponsored by the City & the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce, it boasts an impressive list of business sponsors including Emeryville staples IKEA, Bay Street and Ex’pression College . It appears to be targeted at folks visiting the Bay Area for the upcoming 34th America’s Cup being held in the San Francisco Bay beginning August 21st. It’s hard to determine if this is the final product as the site encourages visitors to “Visit us often as we grow our Restaurant, Hotel, Shopping & Entertainment Database”. The completed version promises to map out ways to promote the city’s hotels and eateries.
Per a letter from Mayor Kurt Brinkman promoting the site:
“Hello from Emeryville on the Bay and Welcome! Are you thinking of visiting Emeryville? We are only ten minutes away from San Francisco, host city of the 34th America’s Cup challenge. Emeryville has 2 marinas, 850 slips, 4 major hotels, over 30 fine dining restaurants & cafes and lots of shopping – worldwide brands and boutique brands. Plus, there are unlimited ways to play here – from windsurfing, sailing and kayaking to hiking the Bay Trail & Emeryville ArtWalk. There is a lot going on in Emeryville the next couple of months.”
The America’s Cup is expected to pump more than $1 billion into the Bay Area economy by the time it wraps up in fall 2013 according to this SF Business times article and Emeryville is gearing up to receive a chunk of this revenue. At Emeryville Sport Fishing, owner Craig Stone said he expects that his fleet of 10 boats, which can carry as many as 35 people, will become hot commodities during the big races. Emeryville’s Emery Cove has 93 percent of its 460 slips filled. Its 15 guest berths will be in high demand as the America’s Cup draws near. Those spaces rent for $25 per night now but According to Emeryville Marina Harbormaster Diane Isley said her business “absolutely” will raise prices — probably triple — once Cup racing draws near.
Economic Development & Housing Director Helen Bean adds “We see the America’s Cup as a real economic development tool for the city, especially in terms of its hospitality and restaurants.” | Emeryvilleonthebay.com →
I’m looking forward to this site getting fleshed out. Go Eville!