Pelosi Fights to Save SF's Derelict Waterfront

When's the last time you headed down to the waterfront? Is the answer "never"? We thought so.

San Francisco's one of those unfortunate cities that has a coastline but little of value on it. Crumbling warehouses, dangerous masonry, fenced-off no-man's-lands and crime seem to define the waterfront, especially south of the Ferry Building.

That was all supposed to change with a major investment in Pier 70. But now the tight financial times might dash the pier's dreams of revitalization.

Republicans want to cut hundreds of millions of from post security and engineering, not exactly frivolous fields.

Nancy Pelosi lashed back at the demands for more money, pointing out that the investment in infrastructure will pay dividends. For example, similar projects were key in bringing the America's Cup to San Francisco.

The Pier 70 plans were nothing if not grand. They called for the restoration of an enormous historic brick building, which would then be used for public space. Lots of jobs were slated to come in, thanks to investment in biotech. and the city was planning to build plenty of green space.

But now, it's anyone's guess whether it'll actually happen.