Urban Waterfront Development: Los Angeles

Los Angeles Moves Forward With Plans for $52.7 Million Wilmington Waterfront Promenade

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has greenlighted a design contract to conduct engineering, architectural and landscaping design services for the future Wilmington Waterfront Promenade.

Creating a "window on the waterfront" for the Wilmington community, the $52.7 million promenade will measure approximately 1,300 feet in length and 30 feet wide, and provide spacious public access to the water’s edge. From Berths 184 to 186 behind the promenade, the project will include an approximate 2.5-acre public pedestrian plaza.

A 1.25-acre parking court and/or event space will also be constructed. Additionally, landscaping and a parking lot will be added north of the new plaza.

Design of the project will entail realignment of a street to a northeast/southeast direction to parallel existing railroad tracks. A freight facility currently on the property will be demolished. Project improvements will also entail landscaping, irrigation, signage, lighting, as well as site furnishing like public seating, bike racks and public drinking fountains.

The Wilmington Waterfront Promenade was among six public improvement projects – three in Wilmington and three in San Pedro – approved last February as part of the port’s Public Access Investment Plan. The Wilmington Waterfront Development Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified in June 2009. The engineering, architectural and landscaping design phase of the promenade project is expected to cost $3.19 million and be completed by mid-2018.