POLA Receives APWA’s 2013 B.E.S.T. Project of The Year Award

San Pedro — On Dec. 10, the Port of Los Angeles received the 2013 B.E.S.T. Project of the Year award from the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association for its Southern Pacific Slip Waterfront Plaza.

The plaza pays homage to San Pedro’s history as a commercial fishing hub, located on the Los Angeles Waterfront near Ports O’ Call Village.

Winning in the recreation and athletic facilities category, the Southern Pacific Slip Waterfront Plaza includes improved public waterfront access for pedestrians and vehicles and development of a 1.5-acre landscaped plaza that features the “Ghost Fish 102” sculpture, a 40-foot blue fin tuna by artist Carl Cheng, hung from a galvanized steel frame over the water at Berth 73. Teak benches by San Pedro woodworker Harold Greene were also installed near the public art display. The plaza was completed in December 2012 at a cost of $6.5 million.

The waterfront features several beautification and redevelopment projects that cover more than 400 acres of existing Port property in both San Pedro and Wilmington.

Details: www.lawaterfront.org.