San Pedro Redevelopment Plan Approved

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A $1.2 billion plan to redevelop San Pedro’s waterfront over the next decade was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on Wednesday.

The ambitious project includes the construction of an 8-mile promenade to downtown San Pedro, bike paths, parks, a pier and extension of the port’s popular streetcar service.

It remains unclear which parts of the plan would be built first, so the harbor commission ordered port staffers to report back in 30 days on which projects could move ahead. The port has agreed to help fund the massive redevelopment, but with the sharp downturn in international trade, it has not committed to specific funding.

“We can’t do this alone; there’s no way. We need to look to the private sector,” said Geraldine Knatz, the port’s executive director. “However, we look at this project as a public service and not merely a way to shore up business. We know it’s time to give the waterfront back to the public.”

The plan has largely been met with public support from residents and business owners, but a proposal to build a cruise terminal near Cabrillo Beach has generated controversy because it would restrict access to some parts of the beach.

Bending to public support after seven hours of testimony that stretched into Wednesday morning, the board tweaked the plan to require any new cruise terminal there to be constructed on the east side of Kaiser Point at Berths 49-50 instead of the west side at Berths 45-47, which faces inner Cabrillo Beach.

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