Nothing much ever happens in San Pedro...some would say...but not now! Let' see:
If you've been to downtown San Pedro lately (and if you haven't, why not?) you'll notice heavy construction on 3 major mixed-used residential projects: the Centre Street Lofts, the Bank Lofts on 7th Street and the "Vue" at the site of the old Pacific Trade Center. Several other building conversions are underway or are being planned. All of the units are designed to be market rate and will, hopefully, be owner-occupied. Sales offices are open in downtown San Pedro for interested potential buyers. Being that this is going on in the unique community of San Pedro and not downtown Long Beach, Pasadena or Santa Monica, there are mixed opinions about the benefits and detriments of such a flurry of development activity after so many years of "nothing happening" but continued deterioration. Will the existing merchants prosper from all of the new residents within walking distance? Will many of the vacant storefronts be converted into upscale retail and dining establishments? Is the renaissance of San Pedro truly underway? Do we even want a renaissance? Time will tell!
The most controversial project in San Pedro lies north and west of downtown along Western Avenue and the border of Rancho Palos Verdes. Most everyone in South Shores travels north on Western Avenue past the site: the former U.S. Navy housing area that has been sold to Bisno Developers and is being marketed as "Ponte Vista" (a view of the bridge.) As planned by Bisno, the 62 acre site would have 2,300 homes and related amenities. The LA Unified School District also has designated a 15 acre portion of the area as the site of a new senior high school. As promised, Councilwoman Janice Hahn has recently appointed a 13 member advisory committee to prepare a specific plan for the area. The advisory group has representatives from the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the Northwest San Pedro and Harbor City Neighborhood Councils, local business owners, 3 residents of Rancho Palos Verdes and South Shores Homeowners' Association Board member Jerry Gaines. Jerry also chairs the Western Avenue Task Force. He will report to the Board on a monthly basis on the activities of the Task Force and the Advisory Group. Preparation of the Specific Plan will involve numerous public meetings and will take at least a year to complete.
As previously reported, the site of the former Di Carlo's Bakery on north Gaffey Street will become the home of a new "big box" Target store serving the harbor area communities. This development has displaced the ballfields for the Eastview Little League. The Ponte Vista developer has promised a replacement for this field as part of his project, however, this is sometime in the future, if ever. In the meantime, a temporary facility for Eastview Little League will be constructed on the Port's Knoll Hill adjacent to the established dog park. This situation has raised a bit of controversy and differences of opinion as has been reported in the local press, particularly in letters to the editor of the Daily Breeze and columns in the weekly More San Pedro magazine.
If you don't travel Western Avenue on your way in and out of town, you probably use Gaffey Street to/from the Harbor Freeway. You may have noticed that Gaffey Street at this location is not the most attractive entrance into a community. In fact, this area has been an eyesore for years. Councilwoman Hahn and other community leaders such as Jim Hussey have been working for years to develop a "Welcome Park". This concept is finally coming to fruition with the demolition of several buildings and funding from the Port, City and federal grants. When final plans are prepared, we'll feature them on the SSHOA web site. Will a Welcome Park increase property values and the quality of life in South Shores? Can't hurt.