At the event,
officials announced that the 28-acre site currently known as City Dock No. 1 will
be developed into the “AltaSea” urban marine center through a public-private
partnership between the port, the non-profit Annenberg Foundation and a host of
regional public and private universities.
The facility is
planned to feature circulating sea-water labs, offices, classrooms, lecture
halls, support facilities, an interpretive center, and the development of the
world’s largest seawater wave tank for studying tsunamis and rogue waves.
“At the edge
of the largest urban area in the western U.S., the AltaSea research campus is
part of a grander vision for the Port of Los Angeles,” POLA Executive Director
Geraldine Knatz said. “We will continue our growth and expansion as America’s
leading trade gateway and at the same time facilitate some of the most
innovative and collaborative marine research and solutions possible.”
About $57
million in funding commitments for the project’s first phase already have
already been tallied, including $32 million in site-related capital investments
by the Port of LA and a $25 million gift by the Annenberg Foundation to get the
project underway. Phase 1 is currently estimated to cost $155 million, with a
2018 completion goal.
The anchor
tenant of Phase 1 will be the Southern California Marine Institute, a strategic
alliance of 11 major Southern California universities that have marine science
academic and research programs.
The entire
project cost is estimated at more than $500 million with completion over a 15-
to 20-year timeframe.
“AltaSea will
position the City of Los Angeles as the premier location for addressing
ocean-related environmental issues that are not only important to Southern
California, but to the world,” Villaraigosa said.
Regarding the
planned facility’s name, Daniel Pondella, Director of the Southern California
Marine Institute and Chair of Biology at Occidental College, explained its
origin.
“From its
Latin root, Alta means high, deep, noble and profound,” he said. “Our goal is
to forge deep and profound partnerships on every level and engage the entire
Los Angeles community – from government agencies to university researchers, to
science educators and industry leaders – in marine research that will transform
the future.”
Phase 1 is
expected to create an estimated 1,087 construction jobs, according to the port,
with Phase 2 providing an additional 4,161 construction jobs.
