West Harbor’s plans for a 62,000-seat amphitheater is drawing a mix of opinions as the San Pedro waterfront project rolls out an extended written comment period for a draft of an environmental analysis.
The comment period for the environmental impact report, as such analyses are called, will be open until Jan. 10.
Concerns remain about noise, parking and traffic. But many who spoke at a two-hour virtual hearing the Port of Los Angeles hosted earlier this month also said the live outdoor entertainment venue would boost the town and be a popular attraction that would benefit the community.
Designed to anchor the southern tip of West Harbor’s footprint, the waterside amphitheater continues making its way through the public comment process.
The proposal for the southern tip of West Harbor calls for the amphitheater to have the flexibility to host off-season community events and feature various seating options.
Critics, though, have voiced concern about the sounds that could disrupt nearby neighborhoods, trash and the “outside” concert goers who would park and hang out in areas outside the venue so they could listen for free.
The sound, said Noel Gould, a member of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, would be “tremendously difficult to control and mitigate.”
James Preston Allen of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council said at this month’s hearing that there is still not an adequate traffic plan in place for the waterfront.
Both Gould and Allen, though, said they were speaking as individuals and not council representatives.
Supporters, however, said during the Nov. 14 hearing that the proposal will bring San Pedro into its own after decades of efforts to give it a place on the Los Angeles map.
Noting the growing development in town, Linda Alexander of San Pedro said she was “extremely happy to see we are starting to meet our potential.”
“This is such a vibrant community and it has so much to offer,” she said. “We’re finally getting where we need to be.”
Supporters also said they were confident the environmental report has addressed concerns, including proposed mitigation measures to offset possible downsides.
“I’m very impressed,” said Rock Ashfield, a Realtor who also sits on chamber and neighborhood council committees, adding that mitigation issues brought up two years ago were addressed satisfactorily in a recent chamber presentation. “We’re not L.A.’s best-kept secret anymore.”
“I believe in their (the West Harbor developers) commitment and I also believe in the port’s commitment, finally, to bring forward an amazing development,” said business owner Mona Sutton, a 34-year San Pedro resident who is a member of the chamber board and the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council’s planning committee. “We’re finally going to have an iconic draw.
“I cannot wait for us to experience this first-class destination.”
Supporters and port planners pointed to large-scale events such as LA Fleet Week and a growing cruise business, which now often sees multiple ships in port at once, as evidence that heavy traffic coming into the community can be managed.
“The port has extensive experience dealing with high-level events such as Fleet Week,” Kerry Cartwright, director of goods movement for the Port of Los Angeles, said at the meeting.
The plan calls for an additional parking lot at 208 E. 22nd St. that would boast up to 2,600 stalls to serve the amphitheater; traffic officers at key intersections for pedestrian and vehicle safety; portable and changeable messaging signs; and real-time tours and parking information.
Zero-emissions shuttle services are also part of the plans.
Related Articles
San Pedro’s downtown to kick off the festive season with parade on Sunday
How might Donald Trump’s tariffs affect Southern California ports, logistics industries?
Port of LA sees another record cargo month for October as shippers brace for new tariffs
Caltrans wants to hear detour ideas for when San Pedro’s Vincent Thomas Bridge closes
APM Terminals at Port of Los Angeles gets new cranes
Significant challenges, the EIR said, include transportation and noise, but the findings indicated those can be mitigated, port officials said. Proposals include event-specific expanded public transit, event-ticket packaging, traveler information and way finding signage, a carpooling incentive program, designated priority parking spaces for electric and clean air vehicles, and satellite shuttle services.
Mitigation efforts proposed by the port include sound engineering to keep noise from emanating into nearby neighborhoods.
The proposed amphitheater operation would include:
100 events annually (generally from April to November).
Temporary fencing during events.
Concert times starting between 7 and 9 p.m., and lasting about three hours.
Fireworks shows (up to 25 annually) from a barge near Berth 46 accompanying some amphitheater events and lasting up to 20 minutes, with Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board and U.S. Coast Guard permits necessary.
Also discussed in the EIR are West Harbor additions for a 175-foot Ferris Wheel and amusement attractions, such as a carousel, wave swings and other attractions, including a possible drop tower or other mechanical rides.
The draft EIR can be found at portoflosangeles.org/ceqa under “West Harbor Modividation Project.”