Harbor commission outlines 6-month strategic priorities, including Seaside Lagoon entitlements and boat launch design

The Redondo Beach Harbor Commission reviewed work from the past six months and identified short-term priorities staff should pursue in the city's upcoming strategic planning session, commissioners said at a monthly meeting.

Commissioners, prompted by a presentation from waterfront staff, highlighted near-term items they want included in the city council's strategic plan: pursue entitlements and additional funding for the Seaside Lagoon renovation; finalize design and public outreach for a new public boat launch; begin breakwater repairs in mid-May; expand abandoned-vessel removal funding; and continue actions to reduce harbor vacancy and support economic development in the International Boardwalk area.

The discussion matters because the strategic plan letter the commission submits is shared with City Council ahead of the council's own strategic planning session, giving the waterfront priorities extra visibility. Commissioners said the commission typically submits a letter, and that staff or an appointed commissioner will draft it for review before the April 29 council session referenced by staff.

Waterfront staff recapped accomplishments since the last six-month cycle, including an adopted leasing strategy, International Boardwalk paver and signage work, improved harbor Wi-Fi, storefront-improvement agreements with tenants, removal of abandoned vessels from Basin 3 and the Harbor Patrol dock area, purchase of a shark-detection buoy, and completion of engineering studies for a new boat launch. Staff also said the city applied for a $500,000 grant to support a climate-resiliency master plan and was awarded a $1,400,000 grant to fund improvements to base and three docks.

On Seaside Lagoon, staff said the city has approval for a full renovation scope and is moving toward entitlements. Staff described the project as fully funded for phase one but not for later phases; commissioners urged continued pursuit of grant funding for subsequent phases. For the proposed public boat launch, staff said traffic, parking and demand studies are nearly complete and a subcommittee will review the studies before design work proceeds.

Commissioners raised several operational priorities. Multiple commissioners urged larger and more frequent harbor-patrol inspections of boats and marina facilities to improve safety and environmental stewardship, with one commissioner suggesting a periodic mandatory inspection cycle and a mix of requirements and incentives to rehome or remove unusable vessels. Commissioners also discussed dredging and maintenance priorities for the harbor basins and noted interest in small improvements such as wayfinding, benches and coordinated signage to improve waterfront cohesion.

Commissioners discussed several specific redevelopment and leasing opportunities identified in the amenities and economic-development plans, including the former Gold's Gym site, the undeveloped Pad 2, the old Maison Ritz site and the former Joe's Crab Shack location. Staff said the city is evaluating dividing large leaseholds into smaller, use-specific leaseholds to attract a wider range of operators.

On capital work, staff reported the breakwater-repair contract is on track to start mid-May and continue through November, subject to permits and schedule. The marina parking-lot improvement was described as progressing in phases to avoid conflicts with Beach Life events; a dinghy dock deployment for Basin 3 was expected after Beach Life, in late May or early June, staff said.

Commissioners agreed to produce an advisory letter for City Council. One commissioner volunteered to draft the commission's letter summarizing these priorities and circulate it to the group for review ahead of the council's strategic planning meeting.

Less-critical or longer-term goals discussed included undergrounding utilities, Moonstone Park redevelopment planning, dry-boat storage, and potential future phases of Seaside Lagoon renovation. Commissioners and staff emphasized pursuing projects that already have budgeted funds and continuing to seek grant money for higher-cost items.

The commission's discussion combined project updates, budget context, and operational proposals; no formal ordinance or budget adoption was approved at this meeting.

Looking ahead, staff said the commission may cancel its May meeting if no action items are ready, noting the commission will be involved in several city budget meetings in the coming weeks.