PORT OF LOS ANGELES CELEBRATES PHASE I COMPLETION OF THE $36 MILLION TOWN SQUARE & PROMENADE PROJECT
Key Connector Paves Way for Future Construction of West Harbor Commercial Development on the LA Waterfront
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Oct. 21, 2021 – Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, Port of Los Angeles officials and community leaders gathered today to dedicate and celebrate completion of Phase 1 of the Town Square & Promenade, a key milestone project on the LA Waterfront in San Pedro.
The Port-funded $36 million infrastructure project sets the stage for construction of the long-anticipated West Harbor retail, dining and entertainment development, a pivotal centerpiece in the ongoing revitalization of the LA Waterfront.
Opening up spectacular views of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, 24/7 vessel traffic and the theater of a working port, the 30-foot-wide Promenade runs parallel to the Main Channel of America’s Port ®. Features of the “grand promenade” envisioned more than two decades ago include: custom wood benches, lamp posts with the waterfront’s signature Angel Wing fixtures, drinking fountains, drought-tolerant plants lining the stretch of the concrete and granite paver walkway, more than 30 trees, and the same wood and cable safety railing that runs throughout the completed areas of the waterfront.
The Promenade and Town Square project represents the strong public-private partnership between West Harbor and the Port of Los Angeles. The conceptual design was developed by West Harbor’s world-renowned landscape architect James Corner Field Operations, designer of iconic open spaces in major metropolitan settings, including the High Line in New York City.
Port engineers took the design concepts and delivered a project that meets the shared vision of extending the LA Waterfront promenade along the new West Harbor development. When complete, with the addition of Phase 2 of the promenade, this expansive waterfront open space feature will stretch almost a mile along the Port’s main shipping channel.
Adjacent to the Downtown Harbor public docks and directly in front of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, the Town Square includes a turning circle, parking lot, Main Channel overlook, and ramps connecting the site at 7th Street. It’s dotted with more than two dozen trees and has a giant swing, art deco bollard lights, a granite stone seat wall, utility infrastructure, and public restrooms. A new 600-foot floating dock connects the waterside of the project. The dock will provide tie-up space for visiting recreational boaters, providing them with easy access to West Harbor attractions and other LA Waterfront landmarks.
Funding for the project was provided through the Port’s Public Access Investment Plan, which ties community infrastructure investments to a percentage of the Port’s operating revenue. Since 2005, the Port has invested more than $700 million in waterfront capital development, programming and maintenance, with an additional $300 million in Port funding anticipated to be invested by 2025 under the plan.
North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $259 billion in trade during 2020. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs across the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. The Port of Los Angeles has remained open with all terminals operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
OFFICIAL COMMENTS
“The revitalization of the LA Waterfront will not only improve the quality of life for residents, but attract visitors from around the world,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Through this $36 million investment, we are helping to create new jobs and businesses, while cementing our status as a global destination.”
"Today is an exciting milestone as we move full steam ahead on creating a reimagined LA Waterfront that will serve as a world-class destination for both locals and visitors alike," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino. "As the pandemic has shown us, open spaces are essential components to any thriving city and the continued investment in public amenities by the port provides our communities with the neighborhoods they deserve."
“Our downtown area and our waterfront have never had a seamless connection and that’s been a problem for our businesses and our ability to attract tourism,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn. The new Town Square and Promenade are not just going to be a great place for community events, they are finally going to provide the connection between downtown San Pedro and the Waterfront that we have wanted for so long.”
“Completion of this Town Square & Promenade is a big step forward in the Port’s ongoing investment to build a vibrant and accessible LA Waterfront that our community and out-of-area visitors alike can enjoy year-round,” said Harbor Commission President Jaime Lee. “The completion of these projects puts into place the pedestrian linkages between West Harbor and the downtown San Pedro waterfront.”
“This new Town Square and Waterfront Promenade is not only a significant step in the Port’s development of a world-class LA Waterfront, it’s a milestone for our community,” said Harbor Commissioner Anthony Pirozzi, who joined fellow commissioners in dedicating a commemorative plaque at the new Town Square. “Personally, it’s been gratifying to see this project from start to finish as part of the San Pedro Waterfront development program approved in 2009. As the main linkage between San Pedro’s historic downtown and the LA Waterfront, this beautiful Town Square and Waterfront Promenade will be a focal point on the LA Waterfront for generations to come.”
“This project shows the Port’s continued commitment to developing a vibrant waterfront for the neighboring communities of our harbor enclave and the millions of people, near and far, who will visit our waterfront here at the Port of Los Angeles each year,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka.
"The completion of the Town Square & Promenade is a key driver for West Harbor's continued success,” said Ratkovich Company Founder Wayne Ratkovich. “As we invest $150 million to build West Harbor, the Port of Los Angeles is a critical partner. Their investment in creating this grand promenade is helping us attract significant new restaurants and entertainment tenants. This is truly a positive synergy where, together, our public/private partnership will propel the LA waterfront into a leading Los Angeles destination for years to come."
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