Harbor District: McOsker outlines plans for bridge closure and waterfront redevelopment
The councilmember detailed the upcoming 16-month Vincent Thomas Bridge closure, the opening of West Harbor, and infrastructure projects across five communities during his annual address.
By Jason Wood ·
Los Angeles Councilmember Tim McOsker will not face a runoff in next week's election after winning a majority in the June primaries. He confirmed his hold on the 15th District seat on Thursday, Oct. 29, during a State of the District address hosted by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce at the Dalmatian-American Club. The district includes San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, and Watts.
A major upcoming change involves the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Caltrans will begin replacing the decking on the 63-year-old structure on Nov. 7. The span will close for 16 months. McOsker stated that detour streets were repaired and repaved before the closure to mitigate traffic impacts. He noted that the city secured an agreement with Caltrans to ensure these repairs happen, with further repaving scheduled for February 2028 when the bridge reopens.
In San Pedro, the $500 million, 42-acre West Harbor development is beginning to open businesses to the public. The site served as a FIFA Fan Zone this summer. McOsker also discussed efforts to open Sunken City, a stretch of coastline closed since the 1980s. The lower portion remains cluttered with debris from a housing tract that collapsed in 1929. His office is working with the Coastal Commission to open the upper portion by 2027.
Wilmington is seeing progress on the Waterfront Park and Promenade, which is nearly complete. The city broke ground this year on the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge to improve access. McOsker is pushing the Lomita Punchthrough project to improve Lomita Boulevard east of Alameda Street. The city secured $3.5 million in Measure M funds to start work on this infrastructure, which aims to reduce truck traffic in residential areas.
In Harbor Gateway, McOsker highlighted Operation Street Sweeper, a law enforcement initiative launched last month. The operation resulted in 69 arrests, hundreds of citations, and the impoundment of approximately 200 vehicles in one night. He said the coordinated response will help address similar issues in other parts of the district. Plans for Harbor Gateway also include a historical-culture monument nomination for singer Etta James and a historic survey of Athens on the Hill.
Watts received a $22 million investment for the expansion of the Historic Watts Tower Arts Center Campus. The project adds park areas and new spaces for arts programming and performances. McOsker is also working toward a community-driven land trust to allow for community ownership of assets in the neighborhood. He cited the Watts Towers and the historic train station as key landmarks that shape local culture.
McOsker urged voters to pay attention to Measure PRT, which would require the harbor commission to disclose how leases and projects affect jobs. The measure would also codify the Port’s Public Access Investment Plan into the City Charter. Currently, the plan commits 10% of the port’s operating income to public access improvements. Contributions have supported projects at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and waterfront developments in San Pedro and Wilmington.
Since January, the Clean 15 Team has removed nearly 5 billion pounds of trash and debris from the district. McOsker also introduced an Interim Control Ordinance to restrict new smoke and vape shops in the district. This measure allows the city time to develop long-term zoning regulations to prevent overconcentration of these businesses near schools and parks.
Source: Daily Breeze
