``From Bridge to Breakwater'' Master Plan for the San Pedro Waterfront Gets the Greenlight from Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- Greeted with loud applause and cheers from an at-capacity crowd attending today's Board of Harbor Commissioners meeting, the San Pedro Waterfront and Promenade Master Development Plan received a unanimous vote of approval by the Harbor Commission. Their vote gives Port staff the go-ahead to proceed to the next stage of the project, which involves preliminary project design, initiation of a 12- to 18-month environmental review, and further cost analysis.

This blueprint plan maps out recreational and commercial uses along eight miles of prime Los Angeles waterfront, from the Vincent Thomas Bridge to the federal breakwater.

"The beautiful San Pedro waterfront belongs to the people, and this community-backed master plan gives it back to them," said Mayor Jim Hahn. "Where industrial blight used to cut us off from the water, we will now have a front-row seat to the sea."

"What a great day for San Pedro. For the first time, we have achieved a consensus. Hundreds of community members, business owners, local leaders and experts alike have all contributed to this plan and it is truly a reflection of the San Pedro community," said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. "Now, with this plan in hand, we must all remain committed to making our promenade a reality. Together, we will build a world-class promenade that we can all be proud of."

Receiving a standing ovation for his remarks, restaurateur and acknowledged father of the "From Bridge to Breakwater" vision, John Papadakis called the Master Plan "the opportunity of a decade." Summing up the intent of the Master Plan perfectly, Papadakis stated, "The Bridge to Breakwater project can become the greatest waterfront project on the West Coast. It will open L.A.'s door to the sea, and its citizens' hearts to the water."

Port staff and architects EEK/Gafcon worked for ten months gathering input from Port stakeholders, businesses, neighborhood groups and community members through a series of meetings, presentations and workshops. With the input gained from these meetings, the plan evolved into the Master Plan presented to the Board today.

The Board is not authorized to approve the Master Plan until requisite environmental review processes in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are performed. This work was authorized by the Board with today's action as was preliminary design work needed to support the CEQA/NEPA review process.

In addition, Commission President Nick Tonsich asked the Port Police to begin work on designating the San Pedro and Wilmington waterfront areas "no crime zones." "Declaring our waterfonts as `no crime zone' is crucial to the success of our waterfront plans. Visitors must feel safe and be protected while enjoying these public areas." Port Police will report back to the Board with a comprehensive plan in the next few months.

The Master Plan highlights six unique water-based districts designed to define and highlight the character of San Pedro. These districts are: Piers District, serving as the gateway to the San Pedro Waterfront and includes the area directly adjacent to the Vincent Thomas Bridge; Downtown Harbor District, linking the waterfront to historic downtown San Pedro; Ports O' Call/Southern Pacific (S.P.) Slip District, preserving the authentic working fish harbor and Ports O' Call Village; 22nd Street/Marina District, highlighting marina and hotel operations; Outer Harbor/Warehouse District, targeting varied cultural and international trade uses; and the Beach District, including a proposed youth/senior community center and beach area.