PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND LADWP SWAP PROPERTY TO FACILITATE NEXT PHASE OF WILMINGTON WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
Port to Take Control of LADWP Parcel to Make Way for Avalon Gateway Connecting Wilmington’s Historic Commercial Core to Waterfront
“Los Angeles is continually investing in our communities to create jobs, increase open space, and improve infrastructure,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I’m grateful to the Port and LADWP for this innovative solution which will help us complete a community space in Wilmington that Angelenos will be proud of for generations to come.”
“Today marks the first step in the construction of the long-anticipated Wilmington Waterfront, said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino. “This new Waterfront will attract and incentivize further investment into Wilmington and improve the value of the entire community while creating new opportunities. With the expansion of the waterfront, Wilmington continues to be an up-and-coming neighborhood in LA.”
“I am extremely grateful to all those involved in the negotiations to bring this vision for the Wilmington Waterfront one step closer to reality,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commissioner Lucia Moreno-Linares. “Providing increased public access to our entire LA Waterfront has and will continue to be an important focus for the Port of Los Angeles and our community investment strategy.”
For more than a decade, the Port and LADWP have been working on a way to connect Avalon Boulevard to the Wilmington Waterfront through land controlled by LADWP, a four-acre parcel that currently houses a 500,000 barrel petroleum storage tank and other buildings. The land swap now gives the Port control of the parcel at Avalon Boulevard and Harry Bridges Boulevard, allowing the Port to move ahead with the next phase of Wilmington Waterfront development—the Avalon Promenade and Gateway. Demolition and clearing of the former LADWP parcel starts today, June 15, with construction of the Avalon Promenade and Gateway slated to start this fall.
“LADWP has long partnered with other city agencies where opportunities exist to re-imagine its properties for green and open space throughout our city,” said Martin Adams, LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer. “As a member of the City family, LADWP is happy to be able to work with our sister agency the Port of LA, to make possible the Wilmington Waterfront project. This project is now on track to become a reality for this community.”
“Today marks a turning point for this long-planned project to connect Wilmington’s historic commercial core to the waterfront,” said Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port. “With more than $75 million slated for investment by the Port in the beautification and build out of the Wilmington Waterfront, this agreement and land swap was a vital piece needed to prepare for the next phase of these projects.”
Planning and investment in public space and urban revitalization on the Wilmington Waterfront has been underway since 2006. After significant community input and completion of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in 2008, the vision for the Wilmington Waterfront Development Program was set into motion. Several of its planned projects focus on connecting Wilmington’s historic commercial corridor on Avalon Boulevard to its historic waterfront adjacent to the Banning’s Landing Community Center.
The Wilmington Waterfront Development Program includes two signature projects. The eight-acre, $53.4 million Wilmington Waterfront Promenade project will feature a waterfront promenade, pedestrian plaza, parking lot, realignment of Water Street adjacent to the railroad tracks, and parking northwest of Banning's Landing Community Center. The $31.85 million Avalon Promenade and Gateway project will feature a pedestrian bridge along Avalon Boulevard that will provide pedestrian access to the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade, as well as an arch bridge, entry plaza with an entry gateway feature, landscaping, hardscaping, parking and other improvements.
The Port of Los Angeles remains open with all terminals operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $276 billion in trade during 2019. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.
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