LA Commission OKs $4M For Construction Of Harbor Museum And Educational Center

WILMINGTON, CA — The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously voted to allocate $4 million for the first phase of construction of the Freedom of the Seas Park and Pavilion project, a multi-purpose visitor, community and education center at the port.

The board agreed to enact a sixth amendment to a permit with Pacific Battleship Center, a nonprofit organization based in San Pedro, known for owning and operating the USS Battleship Iowa. The vessel serves as a museum and educational center.

The $17 million Freedom of the Seas Park and Pavilion project will feature a 17,500-square-foot, two-story building that would consist of multi- purpose space for up to 500 people, education and veteran resource spaces, public art, and a restaurant that can seat up to 550 people.

Additionally, the project would add an adjacent park with a plaza for community events and memorials. It would also have facilities for luggage storage and a connection from the cruise terminal to the promenade.

The Los Angeles City Council is expected to take up the matter at a future meeting for final approval.

Jonathan Williams, president and CEO of Battleship Iowa Museum, told the commissioners the project has been in the works since 2020.

In 2024, the project location scope was determined, and an environmental impact report amendment was completed in early 2026. Architectural drawings have been submitted for permits, with a few final clearances remaining, Williams added.

"The building is a pre-engineered structure and has already been delivered, and is in storage with a few additional early scopes under contract," Williams said. "The initial phase of the project is the completion of the building, with construction of the pierside features, including Liberty Point and Freedom Plaza, occurring thereafter."

Williams noted that the project has received a large amount of support from local Harbor-area organizations and elected officials. The building has already been reserved for Croatia House during the 2028 Olympics. Of the $17 million project, about $11.5 million is allocated to the two-story building and $5.5 million would support the park.

With the addition of the port's $4 million and state funding, the project has secured a total of $14.75 million. The project requires a remaining $2.25 million, which is expected to be covered by a construction loan and private donor pledges.

Mike Galvin, director of waterfront and commercial real estate for the Port of Los Angeles, told the commission the first phase of the project is focused on construction, which is being funded by the state.

Galvin said the $4 million from the port comes with strings. The museum operators must comply with prevailing wage requirements, competitive bidding efforts, and inclusion of specific terms in the bidding process.

"The Harbor Department will then review the bid advertisement prior to going out. Quarterly written construction progress reports, comprehensive financial documentation showing us that the state money has been expended first before the port's money comes in, and that the Harbor Department has the ability to condition all of our funding on all these elements before we cut that check," Galvin said.

"It's going to be structured in a single payment, so we'll only be making one payment after they receive a certificate of occupancy or some other similar type of authorization, such as a temporary certificate of occupancy, which often happens in the city of Los Angeles," Galvin added.

Former City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represented the Harbor-area, welcomed the project, adding the investment represents exactly what L.A.'s waterfront needs.

"The USS Iowa has been more than a museum since she arrived at Berth 86. She's been a gathering place, a classroom, a place where a kid from San Pedro or Wilmington or anywhere in the city can walk the deck of a battleship and start asking questions about the history, about service, and about what it means to part of something bigger than yourself," Buscaino said.

The project also received support from the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Maritime Institute, and the office of Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents the 15th District.

By Jose Herrera, City News Service