Council OKs study-and-web strategy to spur redevelopment of Wilmington Industrial Park

The Los Angeles City Council approved a contract to develop a brownfields-focused economic adjustment strategy and an online information portal for the Wilmington Industrial Park on Dec. 12, 2001.

Susan Tataro, identified as project manager for the LA Harbor Industrial Center, told the council the consultant team would centralize existing geotechnical and soils data, update soils analyses for identified opportunity sites, create an accessible website and outline strategies to attract industrial development compatible with the port and local community. The area cited spans roughly 232 acres of the Wilmington redevelopment project area.

Councilmembers asked whether sampling and cleanup work would cover the entire redevelopment area or specific opportunity sites; staff said the effort would update existing redevelopment-agency soil analyses and perform targeted sampling at priority parcels. Councilmembers emphasized the need for an objective site-selection process and for considering available federal programs and brownfields demonstration funding. Councilmember Garcetti, chair of the Economic Development and Employment Committee, described the project as a model that could be replicated for other brownfields citywide.

The motion to award the contract and proceed with the strategy passed unanimously on the floor. Councilmembers said the project aims to reduce uncertainty for developers by providing data and identifying financing/partnership options for cleanup and reuse.

Ending: Staff said the project will consolidate databases, create a developer-facing website, and identify financing mechanisms and cleanup partnerships for priority sites; councilmembers asked for attention to equitable access and to assistance for smaller operators.