Photo by AECOM/David Lloyd

An old Navy anti-aircraft gun from World War II is one of 20 artifacts scattered throughout the Downtown Harbor.

Photo by AECOM/David Lloyd

Improvements include landscaping and recycled wood tables and benches, curved white granite stone seating, floating docks and promenade and the outlook pier.

During this $20-million harbor improvement project, a parking lot was transformed into what the city calls a "new centerpiece of the Los Angeles waterfront." Crews had to meet stringent emissions limits during construction of the landside and waterside facility upgrades between the historic Maritime Museum and Fire Station. Adjacent railroad tracks were realigned to create additional space. Components include 1,800 linear ft of granite seating, 820 linear ft of waterfront boardwalk, a nearly 80-ft-long pile-supported overlook pier and three docks ranging in length from 130 ft to 190 ft. A 25,000-sq-ft plaza displays maritime artifacts and public art. In the museum, designers split new mechanical system components between the ground level and roof to avoid a costly retrofit.

Key Players

Contractor Sully Miller Contracting Co.

Owner Port of Los Angeles

Lead Design Firm Tetra IBI Group

Landscape Architect-Civil Engineer AECOM

Structural Engineer Ficcadenti & Waggoner

Subcontractors Manson Construction Co.; Kato Landscape; Cupertino Electric; Golden Sun Construction; United Mechanical Contractors