City May Sell Harbor Site

The City of Los Angeles has raised the stakes in its long-running dispute with the Port of Los Angeles over the price of an 87.3-acre parcel of city-owned land in San Pedro.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council’s Industry and Economic Development Committee unanimously recommended that the city look into selling the land, which it now rents to the port, or renting it to a private party if the port cannot come up with the $31.5-million asking price. The committee also instructed city staff to look into changing the rental agreement with the port so that the city can collect the three years back rent the port owes.

The harbor commissioners have voted to pay $26 million to buy the land, but Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, who chairs the Industry and Economic Development Committee, has insisted that is not enough. A city appraiser has valued the land, which the port leases to two major tenants, at $35.5 million.

Cal Burton, a spokesman for the port, said he has no idea what resolution the port will propose, but said port officials hope the two sides can reach agreement soon.