PORT OF LOS ANGELES MAKES $6.6 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR AESTHETIC MITIGATION PROJECTS IN SAN PEDRO
Applications for Projects Being Accepted Through September 22, 2008
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – August 15, 2008 – The Port of Los Angeles is seeking conceptual projects that benefit the community of San Pedro, and is making $6.6 million available for these projects. Proposals will be accepted through September 22, 2008, and information and proposal requirements are available on the Port’s website.
Funding for these projects comes from the Port’s Community Aesthetic Mitigation Program, created as part of a lawsuit settlement in 2003. A total of $16.8 million was set aside for projects in the San Pedro community. It is anticipated that $10.2 million will be expended on the already-approved Northwest San Pedro Beautification Project and for the Plaza Park Enhancements Project which is anticipated to go before the Board of Harbor Commissioners later this year.
“We know there are people and groups in the community with great ideas for port-related projects that will enhance San Pedro for its residents and visitors and we want to hear them,” said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.
Types of conceptual projects being sought must provide a nexus between the proposed project and the impact of Port operations. Viable concepts include: open space and parks; landscaping and beautification; and educational, arts or athletic facilities. Project proposals will be reviewed by a Port Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) working group and those selected will be forwarded to the California State Lands Commission for evaluation of consistency with the Tidelands Trust and the Public Trust Doctrine. Once this review is complete, the PCAC will vote to prioritize the projects they wish to forward to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners for consideration and potential funding. The Board of Harbor Commissioners will ultimately make the decision on funding of projects.
Those having questions on the proposal process may call the Port’s Environmental Mitigation Coordinator, Teresa Gioiello Scognamillo, at (310) 732-3057 or e-mail her at tscognamillo@portla.org.
The Port of Los Angeles, also known as “America’s Port,” has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. A recipient of numerous environmental awards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Air Excellence Award, the Port of Los Angeles is committed to innovating cleaner, greener ways of doing business. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.