(Mar 8, 2022) The West Harbor has a panoramic view of the Port of Los Angeles, where visitors can watch container ships while having lunch with local seafood, walking along the port, or touring the USS Iowa. Potential recreational activities include rock climbing and “relaxing” on a sky swing, whale watching, and sunset harbor cruises. Opening is scheduled for 2023.
Michael Cham is Property Manager at the Port of Los Angeles. He graduated from UC San Diego in Urban Studies, and from Loyola Marymount Law School. He worked for the city of Los Angeles in community planning and harbor planning before assuming his present position in 2019.
The West LA Port Harbor Development is focused on developing new infrastructure along the waterfront to attract visitors and private investment. $600 million of current investment will be augmented by another $400 million through 2025. The development extends along the west side of the main channel from Outer Harbor Park to the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The Harbor is 25 miles from DTLA and a 1-hour boat ride from Catalina Island. The plan anticipates annual visits by 2 million visitors, 100+ cruise ships with 500,000 passengers, and 100 public events including LA Fleet Week. The project has over 400 acres of waterfront with marinas, recreational vessel slips and dry docks.
Mr Cham displayed maps and architectural drawings, and discussed anchor leasing tenants planning to open in the repurposed buildings 1A and 1B. The North Park will have many recreational facilities. Port projects in San Pedro include completed Harbor Boulevard modifications, the West Harbor Promenade and Town Square with Ferry Building, West Harbor Promenade Phase II, Cabrillo Way Marina, Berth 44 Boatyard, Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal, and Warehouse No. 1.
The new AltaSea campus of the Southern California Marine Institute is sponsored by a consortium of 23 universities and colleges, and government and private organizations. It has 4100 feet of waterfront dock and wharf space to provide research vessels with direct harbor and open ocean access. The Institute will study renewable energy production, underwater robotic technology for remote monitoring and exploration, and regenerative aquaculture for sustainable food sources. It will include STEM education programs and internships for students.