San Pedro Waterfront Enhancemenet

The San Pedro Waterfront Enhancements Project Consist of:

• The Improvement of existing and construction of new pedestrian walks and plazas (4 acres)
• Green Public Open Spaces (10 acres)
• Associated Parking (approx. 11 acres)
• Two upland pedestrian linkages
• Landscaping between port waterfront attractions
• Streetscape and street intersection improvements
• installation of a pedestrian rail crossing

Planning for the revitalization of San Pedro’s waterfront has been ongoing for many years. Most recently, LAHD has proposed the San Pedro Waterfront and Promenade Master Development Plan from the Bridge to the Breakwater (Bridge to Breakwater Plan), which the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners (Board) received for consideration in September 2004. The Bridge to Breakwater Plan encompasses 7 miles of San Pedro’s waterfront, from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to the Federal Breakwater at Cabrillo Beach.

The San Pedro Waterfront Enhancements Project is a continuation of LAHD’s effort to improve existing pedestrian corridors along the waterfront, increase waterfront access from upland areas, create more open space, and improve vehicular safety.

Downtown Plaza 
The overall goal of the improvements at the Downtown Plaza is to create a revitalized, attractive, and easily accessible pedestrian-oriented plaza in front of the Maritime Museum and to enhance the pedestrian connectivity throughout the area. The plaza would create a town-square feel in front of and adjacent to the Maritime Museum. Sidewalks would be widened by approximately 5 feet along Sampson Way between 5th Street and 7th Street. Existing pedestrian walkways in the downtown area would be improved with new concrete treatments, and the surrounding hardscape would be removed and replaced with new landscaping.
Other related improvements along the waters’ edge include replacing the existing railing and shrubs next to the waterline with a fence design that would reflect the character of the Port. A portion of the pathway in this area may be made of decomposed granite to enhance the attractiveness of the area and encourage foot
traffic to areas offering view opportunities. Additional project elements in this portion of the project area include painting the existing topsail building, upgrading portions of the surrounding fence, re-grading surrounding hardscape, and installing a graphic display.

Ports O’ Call 
Enhancements within and near the Ports O’ Call area are designed to improve  pedestrian access and the attractiveness of the area. One project element includes formalizing the existing trail near Bloch Field on the
bluff across 13th Street and Sampson Way, as well as expanding the existing park area at the south end of Ports O’ Call. All project components are intended to increase public access to the waterfront, Red Car lines, viewing opportunities, and passive recreation areas. Enhancements in this area would require the
relocation of 275 parking spaces from Ports O’ Call. Other project components in the Ports O’ Call Village area include the removal of the bus pad, undergrounding of existing overhead utility lines within the
Fishermen’s Park area, and removal of the low wall that surrounds the Ports O’ Call Village parking lot.

Approximately 2,275 parking spaces serve the Ports O’ Call area. A total of approximately 275 of these spaces would be relocated. Removal and relocation of parking is needed due to the realignment of Nagoya Way, the Fishermen’s Park expansion, and the extension of 13th Street through the Ports O’ Call parking
lot to Red Car Station No. 3. The parking spaces would be relocated to a currently dirt and gravel parking area at Sampson Way and 22nd Street that is used for event parking. The unimproved lot would be upgraded and would provide approximately 700 parking spaces. The additional 425 spaces included in the parking area would serve as available event parking and would accommodate Ports O’ Call patrons on weekends, when parking demand is high.

Paseo
The Paseo, a multi-surfaced pedestrian pathway, would be extended on the west side of the existing shops within Ports O’ Call Village. The Paseo would require removal of approximately 187,000 square feet of asphalt and concrete to a depth of 4 inches. Landscaping themes along the Paseo would be consistent with other Ports O’ Call Village improvements and other planting patterns along the promenade.

To facilitate the Paseo, Nagoya Way would be relocated and realigned 20 to 40 feet west into the existing parking lot. The street would be re-striped and would require the removal of approximately 75 parking spaces (the first portion of the 275 spaces to be relocated as noted above). The surface would not require
substantial grinding or repaving. Storm drains would be relocated to the new Nagoya Way and curbs may be replaced. The existing north restroom building would be remodeled and upgraded, and the southern restroom would be removed and replaced by four additional restroom buildings along the Paseo.