A land swap between the Port of Los Angeles and the Department of Water and Power moves plans for new waterfront open space in Wilmington closer to reality.

Under the agreement announced on June 15, the Port of Los Angeles will take control of a four-acre property that is currently improved with a 500,000-barrel petroleum storage tank and other buildings.  Demolition of the structure, which began this week, will allow for construction of the long-proposed Avalon Promenade and Gateway to begin in Fall 2020.

“Los Angeles is continually investing in our communities to create jobs, increase open space, and improve infrastructure,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in a prepared statement. “I’m grateful to the Port and LADWP for this innovative solution which will help us complete a community space in Wilmington that Angelenos will be proud of for generations to come.”

The project is one component of approximately $75 million public open space first envisioned in 2006 as part of the Wilmington Waterfront Redevelopment Program, which was intended to spur new economic development along Avalon Boulevard - Wilmington's main commercial boulevard.

The $53.4-million Wilmington Waterfront Plaza, designed by Sasaki, is slated for eight acres of land directly fronting the Port of Los Angeles.  Plans call for a pedestrian plaza, public parking, and other improvements. 

The $32-million Avalon Promenade, designed by T.Y. Lin, will link that space to existing park land through the addition of a pedestrian bridge.  Other planned improvements include as a gateway entry feature, landscaping, and hardscaping.

In addition to new open space in Wilmington, the Port of Los Angeles broke ground in January on a $33-million waterfront promenade and town square in San Pedro.  The four-acre project will abut the San Pedro Public Market development, which recently saw its groundbreaking date pushed back to 2021.