Wilmington Waterfront Promenade announces completion date, Los Angeles

The completion date for Wilmington Waterfront Promenade has been set for February 3^rd. After more than 3 years, construction will finally close on the US$77+ million public open space that includes a walkway along the waterfront which connects to a public pier, a dock, a children’s playground, public restrooms, and a parking lot. It had been in planning for over 15 years before construction finally broke ground in late 2020. The project saw the transformation of a vacant industrial site near Banning’s Landing Community Center into the nine-acre space that it is now.

The Wilmington Waterfront Park

The Wilmington Waterfront Park, part of the whole project, was completed in 2011 and involved the transformation of a brownfield site into a 30-acre park that runs parallel to the coast and provides a buffer between the community and the Port of Los Angeles’ operations. This second phase of the project, the promenade, will connect the park and the community to the ocean.

The new L-shaped ribbon of green development will connect the Industrial District and Avalon Corridor with the new Waterfront Promenade. A future land-bridge connection will carry residents over the industrial port sites to arrive in the space of the promenade. Furthermore, a grand entrance, opening to a sweeping view of LA harbor from the top of a sculpted landform, which cleverly nests the restrooms and services underneath the dome of earth.

Wilmington Waterfront Promenade team

Sasaki Associates Inc worked with the port of Los Angeles on this project. The company designed the Wilmington Promenade, which required a realignment of Water Street adjacent to a freight rail right-of-way which runs along the northern perimeter of the park space.

Further plans call for eventually connecting the promenade to another upcoming public park project, the four-acre Avalon Promenade and Gateway. The two projects will be connected through the construction of a 400-foot-long pedestrian bridge. The City has planned to break ground on that project later this year. They aim to have completed construction by Summer 2027.

The San Pedro Waterfront Promenade

Not too far from the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade, the Port of Los Angeles is also wrapping up construction of the San Pedro Waterfront Promenade. The San Pedro Waterfront Promenade project was undertaken in two projects and will cost an estimated US$85 million. It was designed by James Corner Field Operations, known for their work on New York’s High Line. The first phase of the Waterfront Promenade project was completed in late 2021 along the Port’s main channel. It included a 30-foot-wide path and four-acre town square.

The extension which broke ground in July last year, connects the Promenade to the southern end of the West Harbor commercial and entertainment project. The second phase includes the installation of new piles, pier, and deck fixtures. Additionally, there will be new lighting, trees, landscaping, and walkways installations. Work on phase two is expected to conclude in Spring next year, coinciding with the debut of the $165-million West Harbor project.