Trammell Crow May Get Nod for Ports O’Call Make-Over

Struggling Ports O’ Call Village shopping center in San Pedro may get a make-over now that a citizens committee has recommended a well-known real estate company to oversee a substantial redevelopment project.

The 45-acre project includes the half-vacant Ports O’ Call complex as well as the former Unocal tank farm nearby on 22nd Street--both of which are owned by the Port of Los Angeles. Plans include a mix of retail and commercial uses as well as substantial open space, with an emphasis on the waterfront.

The Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to act Feb. 28 on the citizen committee’s recommendation that the board negotiate a development arrangement exclusively with Trammell Crow Co. The committee also recommended that Trammell Crow work with San Pedro-based Spirit Cruises on the development plans.

Port spokeswoman Julia Nagano said the committee recommended Trammell Crow’s proposal because of its experience and financial strength, as well as its intention to involve local residents in specific building plans. Dallas-based Trammell Crow probably would lease the property from the city on a long-term basis.

Ongoing disputes among port authorities, the L.A. Community Redevelopment Agency, local citizens and businesspeople and other parties have helped delay action on redevelopment of the port properties. The disputes have been cited as a factor in calls for San Pedro and Wilmington to secede from Los Angeles and take control of the harbor.