San Pedro Briefs: Warner Grand Theatre and Gaffey St. Billboard Updates and Funding for Goods Movement Campus

Warner Grand Theatre Update

SAN PEDRO — Opened in 1931, the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, with its historical architecture and cultural offerings is an asset to San Pedro and greater Los Angeles. The building is in need of upgrades and repairs. While originally slated to close for remodeling June 30, the city has reviewed the construction schedule and has announced that events will now be booked through September 30.

Details: www.culturela.org/cultural-centers/warner-grand-theatre 

Gaffey Street Billboard Update

SAN PEDRO — The CD15 council office has been working to remove the Gaffey Street Billboard in an effort to improve visibility, safety and public access to the San Pedro community.
Up until 2022, the outdoor advertising company was leasing the space on the property for a large billboard. However, at the end of 2022 the lease expired, and the billboard company has ignored the council office’s demands and continues to use the billboard for advertising purposes.
Last week council member Tim Mcosker introduced a motion in council to ensure that, should a situation like this happen again in the future, the city council will have authority to remove billboards from city properties leased to private entities that are in “holdover” status.
McOsker also asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would deem holdover billboard tenants on city property to be “irresponsible permittees” and not eligible for future building permits for five years.

Officials Laud State Funding for Goods Movement Campus

SAN PEDRO— State officials on March 24 presented a ceremonial check reaffirming a $110 million pledge to help fund the nation’s first training facility specifically devoted to supply chain workers, located within the San Pedro Bay ports complex.

The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach Goods Movement Training Campus will provide a single and centralized location aimed at attracting, recruiting, and retaining workers in the goods movement sector. The $110 million allocation will be spread across three fiscal years, starting with the 2022-23 state budget with additional amounts in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Centrally located in the San Pedro Bay ports complex, the training center will provide new job opportunities for residents of nearby communities while strengthening skills for the existing logistics workforce.

Dockworkers, truck drivers, warehouse employees and other essential logistics workers will have an opportunity to learn how to operate the cutting edge equipment that will help the San Pedro Bay ports enhance air quality, combat climate change and transition to zero-emissions operations by 2035.

The 20-acre campus, expected to open by 2029, is a partnership between the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, the California Workforce Development Board, the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association. The ports will equally split the balance of the project cost while working with partners to secure additional funding for training equipment and curriculum.