Judge Clears Way for Ports of Call Redevelopment

A judge on Tuesday cleared the way for the Port of Los Angeles to redevelop a deteriorating tourist attraction in the harbor that has steadily lost revenue for almost a decade.

Los Angeles Municipal Judge Soussan G. Bruguera ruled that Ports of Call, the collection of waterfront shops and restaurants in San Pedro, must be returned to the city by the property’s main leaseholder.

In 1975, the Harbor Department entered into a 40-year agreement with Ports of Call Restaurant Corp., a subsidiary of Specialty Restaurant Corp. of Anaheim. The city later sued to nullify the lease.

Assistant City Atty. Jim Kapel said the company has failed to uphold the terms of the agreement, which includes maintenance and the continued development of Ports of Call as a viable tourist attraction.

According to port statistics, revenue has declined from $25.5 million a year in 1989 to $8.2 million in 1998. Vacancy rates soared from 8% to 50% over the same period.

Ports of Call, which was developed in the mid-1960s, occupies about 20 acres. According to the court order, Ports of Call Village and Whalers Wharf must revert to the city immediately. Ports of Call Restaurant must be turned over by January.