Sustainability at AECOM: Port of Los Angeles — A Waterfront Revived
Managing complexity, building better lives.
AECOM's work renovating the Los Angeles waterfront is focused on increasing public access to the water's edge.
For residents of San Pedro, California, United States, living on the Pacific Ocean has not been a “day at the beach.” Many people in the lower income community have rarely had the opportunity to get to the water’s edge. Once a small fishing village, San Pedro grew up in the shadow of the Port of Los Angeles, against a backdrop of container ships and cranes and a constant flow of diesel trucks and trains. Over time, shipping activity at the largest port in the United States blocked access to the water and local beaches. Now, an ongoing waterfront renovation is changing that in dramatic fashion.
Working closely with the Port of Los Angeles, AECOM created a master plan focused on public access to the water’s edge and regeneration of public recreation attractions in the community of San Pedro. The larger “Bridge to Breakwater” vision for the Los Angeles Waterfront will ultimately extend over seven miles, offering promenades parks, and retail and commercial spaces.
Inviting a community back to the water
With the first phases of the renovation complete, industrial land has been reclaimed for public use, and locals are experiencing access to the waterfront in a way that very few residents remember.
“Water is something that people find so vital in their lives. We need to take advantage of our waterline and make our waterfront a great place to be,” said John Papadakis, lifelong resident of San Pedro.
The Gateway Plaza welcomes residents and arriving passengers with a grand water fountain timed to music and lights. Set against a sweeping backdrop of Canary Island palms, the fountain rises from a black-granite pool bisected by a path that invites the public to stroll into the water, providing a cool, misty respite from hot Los Angeles summers.
States Papadakis: “We have such a great spectacle here; the channel should be called ‘Grand Canal of the Great Ships.’ It’s an educational spectacle. A great theater. Before, it’s just been a dead end.”
Developing Maersk Pier 400
AECOM’s expertise in comprehensive port and terminal facilities played a vital part in the successful completion of Maersk’s Pier 400 Terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. Our extremely aggressive schedule called for us to fast-track the design and construction, while streamlining processes where it was safe and beneficial to do so. We completed this project ahead of schedule, under budget, with no claims or lost-time injuries.
About AECOM
With nearly 100,000 employees — including architects, engineers, designers, planners, scientists and management and construction services professionals — serving clients in more than 150 countries around the world following the acquisition of URS, AECOM is a premier, fully integrated infrastructure and support services firm. AECOM is ranked as the #1 engineering design firm by revenue in Engineering News-Record magazine’s annual industry rankings. The company is a leader in all of the key markets that it serves, including transportation, facilities, environmental, energy, oil and gas, water, high-rise buildings and government. AECOM provides a blend of global reach, local knowledge, innovation and technical excellence in delivering solutions that create, enhance and sustain the world's built, natural and social environments. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM companies, including URS, had revenue of $19.2 billion during the 12 months ended June 30, 2014. More information on AECOM and its services can be found at www.aecom.com.
Media:
AECOM Technology Corporation
Ed Mayer, +1.732.564.3380
Director, Corporate Communications
Ed.Mayer@aecom.com
