Random Letters: 12-16-21

Port Seeks a Negative Declaration For Phillip’s 66!

In the middle of a fervent pledge to reduce petroleum import and use … the port is now engaging in this 40 YR lease for Phillips. “IF” we will no longer be importing fossil fuels why will there be an additional 30% increase in “ship calls”?  Can this be related to the glut of butane and propane being generated by the refining process with an interest in exporting it? Does this involve the Rancho LPG facility and its vast storage of LPG (next to the Phillip’s refinery) as a means to re-open that shipping opportunity via a pipeline to the wharf? If so, this will “institutionalize” that massive and highly explosive facility that continues to threaten the entire region!

Not unlike other “nefarious” and “controversial’’ port developments and projects, the timing of these approvals come during the holidays when people are distracted by the trappings of the season.  PLEASE…..engage in the review of this situation and make comment.  These comments are due by Dec. 20!  From what I understand, the Northwest Neighborhood Council is requesting an extension.  Hopefully, they will get that extension so that we all have time to participate.  This could very well be a crucial development that…unless we engage…. undermines community safety for many years to come.  

Janet Gunter, San Pedro

Demolition of the Star-Kist  Cannery

I am writing this letter in opposition to the proposed demolition of the StarKist Cannery Plant # 4 located at 1050-1054 Ways Street on Terminal Island.

I am requesting that the Los Angeles Harbor Department finds an alternative use for this historic building.

The facility traces its origins to the French Sardine Co. founded on Terminal Island in 1918 by my grand uncle Martin J. Bogdanovich. While Star Kist closed its facilities on Terminal Island in 1984, the building continues to represent a significant link to Los Angeles’ once mighty tuna industry. The plant is also significant for its design by John K. Minasian, a prominent engineer who worked on projects at Cape Canaveral and Edwards Air Force Base and served as the chief engineer for the Space Needle at the Seattle world fair. It was the single largest example of tilt-up construction built by private industry on the West Coast and boasts an unusual level of architectural detailing on its fish harbor facing façade. It also was the workplace of tens of thousands of San Pedrans who made their living working at the facility. Star Kist Plant #4 was literally the economic engine for San Pedro for decades.

It is for these reasons the facility should be preserved under the Port of Los Angeles Cultural Resource Policy of May 28, 2013. This policy assures that buildings such as Plant #4 are identified early in the planning process for proposed projects or potential leasing of vacant properties. Numerous individuals and organizations including the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Dalmatian American Club of San Pedro all advocate for the preservation of the facility.

Since the plant was used in tuna canning, it can be repurposed for canning any type of food products. Another RFP (nationwide) should be released in 2022 targeting those companies in the food industry, especially in California’s central valley to gauge their interest. Since the facility is located in the middle of export facilities, I am sure that a suitable suitor for the facility can be found, in line with the goals outlined in the Port’s Master Plan.

Honorable Anthony Misetich, Former Honorary Mayor of San Pedro, Former Mayor of the city of Rancho Palos Verdes

For Public Comment

I am the granddaughter of Joseph M. Mardesich Sr. acknowledged as a “pioneer” of the California tuna canning industry who was a full founding partner of French Sardine Company Inc. 1917-18, located in Fish Harbor on Terminal Island, California. The company was renamed Star Kist in the early 1950s. In c.1924 Mr. Mardesich sold out his interest to the other partner(s) and founded his own Franco Italian Packing Company that thrived as a “private label packer” for decades.

Our family has a vested interest in the history of the fishing industry and the area known as “Fish Harbor”; and is a sponsor of the permanent exhibition “Caught, Canned and Eaten: The History of San Pedro’s Tuna & Canning Industry” in the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, where Grandfather’s bronze bust likeness, photographs and story are on view.

For many years we have had concern about the disposition of the remaining buildings in Fish Harbor and spoken up previously.

In May 2013 a policy regarding historic preservation was adopted and press release distributed by the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) on May 28 stating: “Groundbreaking Document Provides Framework for Preservation,”

It included three important statements about the POLA commitment:

• Preparing and maintaining an inventory of historical, cultural and architectural resources of the Port;
• Completing a comprehensive survey to evaluate Port historical resources within two years of adoption of the policy and every five years thereafter. Buildings, objects, districts and sites within the Port that are at least 50 years old will be evaluated; resources less than 50 years old that have exceptional importance may also be reviewed;
• Establishing priorities for preservation and adaptive reuse, where possible, of historical buildings, structures, districts and other sites owned by or located on property owned by the Harbor Department. Staff will consider historical resources at the earliest stages of planning, adaptive reuse in leasing transactions will be encouraged.

It seems these items, and the third in particular, have been overlooked with respect to the recent proposal to raze the historic StarKist cannery building “Draft Initial Study”… APP No. 190311-032 cited above. An excerpt from document “Introduction” contradicts the concept of preservation and adaptive use:

“The primary objectives of the proposed Project are to create a parcel of land that is more marketable for future development, to reuse and capitalize the site more efficiently, and to alleviate public nuisance.”

If indeed there is indeed an element of “public nuisance” at the StarKist property and docks, then who created and caused it since the Harbor Department is the ostensible owner/manager of said property ergo it is their neglect that is at the root and why hasn’t the property been safely maintained?

We among many in San Pedro and harbor communities believe in preservation in the concept of “repurpose.” The Star Kist edifice could function as a cannery for products other than fish shipped in from agrarian communities, and/or other commerce affiliations and use for the building, this should be intensely investigated and explored.

The POLA needs to stop the pattern of needlessly demolishing and consider more restoration and preservation. If we do not save our history today, it’s lost for tomorrow and future generations.

Stephanie Mardesich, San Pedro