PORT OF LOS ANGELES BREAKS GROUND ON TOWN SQUARE AND NEW SEGMENT OF LA WATERFRONT PROMENADE

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Jan. 27, 2020 – The Port of Los Angeles has officially broken ground on the $33 million LA Waterfront town square and promenade. The project,  which will connect San Pedro’s Downtown Harbor to the future San Pedro Public Market development, was designed by Port staff in collaboration with James Corner Field Operations, designer of the High Line urban park in New York City.
 
“Today’s groundbreaking represents an important step toward realizing our vision of a thriving LA Waterfront,” said Jaime Lee, President of the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners. “This new modern and public space will provide residents and visitors exciting ways to enjoy the waterfront, while also offering a front row view at the nation’s busiest port.”
 
"Today we celebrate a major milestone as we break ground on the San Pedro promenade and town square, which will become the front door to the new LA Waterfront,” said Los Angeles City Council member Joe Buscaino. “These new spaces will be a gathering place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the waterfront, outdoor events, dining and more.” 

“Projects like these continue to improve the quality of life in our local communities, while also building tourism and stimulating further economic development in the region,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director at the Port of Los Angeles. “The town square and promenade are among several improvements underway this year, making 2020 a big year for our visitor-serving waterfront.”

The additional segment of public promenade will run parallel to the Port’s Main Channel for nearly one mile, meeting the new town square at 6th Street and Harbor Boulevard. The public space will serve as an important link to the San Pedro Public Market, slated to start construction this spring.
 
“As a long-time resident of San Pedro, I’m very proud of all that our Port and community has done to bring the vision of the LA Waterfront to life, project by project,” said Harbor Commissioner Anthony Pirozzi, Jr., who officiated the groundbreaking ceremony. “This new public gathering space is going to be an exciting and welcome addition to our community.” 
 
Features of the 1.9-acre, 30-foot wide promenade and four-acre town square will include “harbor swings,” public seating, landscaping, hardscaping, signage, architectural finishes, handrails and lighting. In response to growing tourism and visitors to the LA Waterfront, the project will include construction of public restrooms as well.
 
“The promenade and town square are integral components of the San Pedro Public Market, a world-class destination and community gathering place unprecedented in LA’s waterfront history,” said Wayne Ratkovich, founder and CEO of The Ratkovich Company, one of the founding developers of the project along with Jerico Development. “We are excited to partner with the Port of Los Angeles to continue the evolution of San Pedro and further connect this historic, resource-rich Los Angeles community with the larger Southern California region and visitors from around the world.”
 
The project is being funded by 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 through 2025 under the Plan.
 
In a competitive bid process, Southern California-based Griffith Company was awarded the construction contract to build the new town square and promenade. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2021.
 
The LA Waterfront consists of a series of waterfront development and community enhancement projects blanketing more than 400 acres of existing Port of Los Angeles property in the harbor communities of San Pedro and Wilmington. Just 23 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, the LA Waterfront features expansive marinas and beaches, museums, historical landmarks, award-winning open spaces and a flourishing downtown art scene.
 
Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative, strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $297 billion in trade during 2018. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.
 
San Pedro Public Market
The San Pedro Public Market will be a first-of-its-kind, world-class waterfront destination, comprised of 42 acres, situated along the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles and set against the backdrop of North America’s busiest working port. The Market will feature expansive public spaces; diverse entertainment, dining, and retail offerings; access to historical centers and museums; a proposed 6,200-seat open-air Nederlander amphitheater; and more—providing an authentic Southern California port experience. Groundbreaking will commence in spring 2020, with a public debut in 2021.