From LA - Plans for 2 new cruise ship terminals rile some in this port town
- From: Retzofrex <retzofrex@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:10:37 -0500
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_8236324
Plans for 2 new cruise ship terminals rile some in this port town
By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 02/11/2008 10:56:04 PM PST
Plans to build two new cruise ship terminals at the Port of Los
Angeles have raised the ire of community groups who say they would be
subjected to an "eyesore" that would increase traffic and noise in San
Pedro.
Later this year, port officials hope to release six possible designs
for the new Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal, which could include two new
two-story terminals totaling 200,000 square feet at berths 45 through
47 and berths 49 and 50 near the southern edge of the harbor.
Port officials are calculating costs for the entire proposal.
"The Outer Harbor Cruise Terminal would enable the port to accommodate
the growing cruise travel segment in the future, specifically the
larger class of ships that will come online over the next five to 10
years," said Gordon Smith, a spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles.
Although port officials hope to reap more revenue from the project,
those living near the site say it could wipe out recreation along
Cabrillo Beach and the bay.
"Visually, it's going to be a monstrosity," said June Burlingame
Smith, president of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council.
"Can you imagine something so tall just sitting there?" she asked.
"It's going to be an enormous eyesore."
Parking options at the new terminal range from 2,900 to 4,200 spaces
in a new three-level structure that would be built on the inner
harbor. One alternative, however, suggests a two-level parking garage
with 1,500 spaces.
Although the project also calls for a 6-acre waterfront park and a
possible extension of the Red Car line, the plans do not go far enough
in mitigating an anticipated increase in traffic, according to
Burlingame Smith.
She also fears that port officials will shut down northbound traffic
along Harbor Boulevard, one of the few arteries that allow access in
and out of San Pedro.
"They are talking about something that would seriously impact traffic
patterns here," Burlingame Smith said. "They are not looking at
anybody's needs except their own. They are avoiding the needs of the
community and our quality of life."
A better alternative, she said, is to expand the existing cruise
terminal on the north side of San Pedro, or build a new terminal on
land once occupied by the Westways bulk liquid terminal, just south of
Ports O' Call Village.
"The Westways site has been discussed for years, but the port seems to
ignore that request," she said.
That's because port officials are already eyeing the scenic location
as the ideal spot for a new marine research facility.
One advantage of the proposal is that the new cruise terminal would
aim to reduce diesel emissions at the port. Plans call for installing
technology that would allow cruise ships to "plug in" and operate on
electricity while berthed. Similar technology is already in use at
some of the port's cargo terminals.
"This is an opportunity for us to build a state-of-the-art cruise
terminal that will allow for cruise ships to plug into power while at
berth to clean up our air," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice
Hahn, whose 15th District includes the port and San Pedro.
"We need to build a facility that allows us to remain the cruise
capital of the West Coast," she said. "It is my hope that the port can
work with the community to come up with a plan that works for
everyone."
In a less contentious move, the harbor commission will decide later
this year whether to sign off on some cosmetic upgrades at the port's
existing cruise ship terminal, including a fresh coat of paint, new
floors and refurbished restrooms, according to port officials. Part of
that plan calls for buying four gangways that can adjust to the height
of any passenger cruise ship. Cruise Industry's Impact
.
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