Los Angeles District 15: Infrastructure and Community Projects Advance

On Thursday, October 29, Los Angeles Councilmember Tim McOsker addressed residents at the Dalmatian-American Club in San Pedro. The annual State of the District address, organized by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, outlined ongoing projects and policy changes across the five communities in the 15th District: San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, and Watts.

McOsker, who has held the seat since 2022 and won reelection in the June primaries without a runoff, focused on transparency in port operations. He urged voters to support Measure PRT, a ballot initiative that would require the harbor commission to publicly disclose how specific leases and projects affect jobs and workers. The measure would also codify the Port’s Public Access Investment Plan, or PAIP, into the City Charter. PAIP currently directs 10% of the port’s operating income to public access improvements, including projects at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and AltaSea.

In San Pedro, the most immediate disruption will begin on November 7, when Caltrans closes the Vincent Thomas Bridge for 16 months. The closure is necessary to replace the decking on the 63-year-old structure. McOcker stated that his office secured a deal with Caltrans requiring detour streets to be repaired and repaved before the closure begins. He noted that further repaving is scheduled for February 2028, in time for the Summer Olympics, during which San Pedro will host sailing competitions.

The councilmember also highlighted the development of West Harbor, a 42-acre, $500 million waterfront destination. Businesses are now opening in the area, which served as a FIFA Fan Zone during the 2026 World Cup this summer. McOsker said efforts are underway to open the upper portion of Sunken City, a coastline stretch closed to the public since the 1980s, with a goal of completion in 2027.

In Wilmington, the pedestrian Waterfront Park and Promenade are nearly complete. This year, the city broke ground on the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge to improve access to the promenade. McOcker also discussed the Lomita Punchthrough, a project to improve Lomita Boulevard east of Alameda Street for truck traffic. The city secured $3.5 million in Measure M funds to start this work, aiming to reduce conflicts between industrial traffic and residential streets.

In Harbor Gateway, McOcker announced the results of Operation Street Sweeper, a coordinated law enforcement effort launched last month. The operation resulted in 69 arrests, hundreds of citations, and the impounding of approximately 200 vehicles in a single night. He also mentioned plans to nominate a Historical-Cultural Monument to honor Etta James and conduct a historic survey of the Athens on the Hill neighborhood.

In Watts, the city broke ground earlier this month on a $22 million expansion of the Historic Watts Tower Arts Center Campus. The project will add park areas and new spaces for arts programming and performances. McOcker said he is also working toward a community-driven land trust to allow for community ownership of assets in the neighborhood.

McOcker emphasized the importance of local representation on the Board of Harbor Commissioners. He noted that longshore worker Michael Chavez recently joined the commission, making it four District 15 residents who serve on the board. McOcker stated that he established the Clean 15 Team after being elected, a program dedicated to cleaning neighborhoods. Since January, those crews have removed nearly 5 billion pounds of trash, debris, and overgrown vegetation from the district.

The councilmember also discussed an Interim Control Ordinance restricting new smoke and vape shops in Council District 15. He cited concerns from residents in Wilmington about shops opening near schools and parks. The ordinance allows the city time to develop long-term zoning regulations to prevent overconcentration of these businesses.