A Port of Los Angeles project that pays homage to San Pedro’s
history as a commercial fishing hub, has received the 2013 B.E.S.T. Project of
the Year award from the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works
Association (APWA).
The Southern Pacific Slip Waterfront Plaza, which is located
on the LA Waterfront near the Ports O’ Call Village marketplace, won in the
recreation and athletic facilities category.
The Waterfront Plaza includes public waterfront access for
pedestrians and vehicles and development of a 1.5-acre landscaped plaza that
features the “Ghost Fish 102” sculpture, a 40-foot blue fin tuna by artist Carl
Cheng, hung from a galvanized steel frame over the water at Berth 73.
Benches were also installed near the public art display. The
plaza was completed in December 2012 at a cost of $6.5 million.
“The port is honored to receive this recognition from the
American Public Works Association,” Port of LA Interim Executive Director Gary
Lee Moore said in a prepared statement. “The S.P. Slip is a landmark and the
new waterfront plaza is a fitting tribute to the fishing industry in San
Pedro.”
The port’s LA waterfront area features several
beautification and redevelopment projects that cover more than 400 acres of port
property in the San Pedro and Wilmington areas.
The American Public Works Association is a group of public
agencies, private sector companies and individuals dedicated to providing high
quality public works goods and services.