Promenade Opens!  
A Pledge Fulfilled
By Arthur R. Vinsel, Community News Reporter

     John  Papadakis, restaurateur of  Papadakis Taverna,  quoted Greek philosophy; praises were sung for the cooperative toil it took to make visions reality and christening champagne splashed VIPs on a sharply cold December 3 morning as crowds in coats and caps cheered San Pedro’s Waterfront Promenade on its first phase opening day.  
     The first phase of the ultimately eight-mile, $704 million public pleasure and recreational mecca—L.A.’s first major public works project since Griffith Park 75 years ago—is now open, a 3.8-acre park and scenic boardwalk  by the Vincent Thomas Bridge.  
     “This Promenade is a fulfillment of a pledge I made in 2001 to return this ‘Bridge to Breakwater’ area back to the community,” declared Mayor James Hahn, as his sister, 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn, beamed in her festive Christmas red blazer jacket.  
     “This is the greatest day,” proclaimed Papadakis, literal godfather of the public use and recreational concept, which is transforming a waterfront once designed  for a monopoly of heavy industry that stank of smoke, soot, sulfur, oil and fish, bereft of any playground for people.  
     “This,” continued Papadakis, whose initial plan was rebuffed by some, “is the day this community is married to the rest of L.A. And this Promenade is the wedding band. I believed the world’s greatest working port could also be the world’s greatest ‘living port.’”  
     “I think this is the best day I’ve had since I was elected in 2001,” Councilwoman Hahn declared. “Let’s be honest. A lot of you thought this day would never come,” she said, acknowledging the depth of community distrust built up over decades of neglect.   
     But that was past. “Dreams do come true, and promises are kept,” she declared.  
     She and the mayor christened the Cruise Ship Promenade segment by breaking symbolic champagne bottles over one of the blue-green compass rose medallions embedded in the concourse as a signature maritime emblem repeated along its 1,200 foot initial length. A mid-2005 groundbreaking is expected for the next major segment, with significant work to be done by year’s end.  
     Festivities included a brunch and nonalcoholic sparkling cider for some 200 guests to toast the opening day. But most wandered off to inspect the elegant new park’s amenities, including mature Canary Island palm trees, deck chairs, two bocce ball courts; public art including wind vane sculptures and viewing stations with displays on port history, fact and folklore.

Mayor James Hahn, right, and Councilwoman Janice Hahn are the politicians who made it happen, reversing decades of neglect for quality of life in the San Pedro area.  Photo:  Taso Papadakis.