Thanks for the NPR article. A similar barrier is planned around Treasure Island for the upcoming renovation. I think they're just waiting for the next big San Francisco earthquake to do the demolition work for them. Some say we should let the sea reclaim the island.
Everybody has been waiting for California to fall into the ocean but if you look at the models of projected sea level rise in the United States, it's Florida that'll be underwater. Shame really, but hey, it's what they voted for.
Story mode is what I'm looking forward to the most this time around. Gameplay doesn't seem too much different than MVC3 (save for the 1 button combos) so the more "that's what she said" jokes they can put in the game the better it will be.