Better days ahead for Wilmington
Ken Melendez, an advisor to the port community of Wilmington, stands on one of the empty lots that will be transformed into parkland buffer in a $57-million project. This is the biggest and most positive improvement in the history of Wilmington, said Melendez. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
A pedestrian strolls past a mural on the wall of the Maya Mexican Restaurant in Wilmington. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Barbed wire and old, rusty fences enclose one of the empty lots that will become a park-like buffer zone. A “green technology” center also has been proposed and would consist of a 5,000-square-foot office and research facility in San Pedro and a 10,000-square-foot light-industrial facility in Wilmington. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Ignacio and Alma Ortiz are optimistic about their new tea house and the future of Wilmington. Were hoping to start some healthy new habits,” Alma said, “and offer people a quiet place to get away from it all. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
The port town of Wilmington is looking to soften its image. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
Wilmington tended to be overlooked when it came to renovation funds until the election of Mayor Villaraigosa and City Councilwoman Janice Hahn. “Finally, Los Angeles City Hall is listening to us, said Wilmington activist Mary Gant, and we cant shut up. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
For so long, the only effects that the port had on Wilmington were negative,” says Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, with “trucks bearing down on residential streets, children with asthma, containers stacked sky high amid houses. Now, thats all starting to change.” (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)
