San Pedro, California Is Getting A Face Lift. Is It What We Need?

Today, I read an article about my city that described my deflation. The Los Angeles Times, posted; San Pedro Reinventing Itself As Coastal Destination. The people of Pedro are not doing this. The men and women behind the monies are doing this. Some are pleased and some are not. I am in between.

The location of Pedro has never been clearly defined. Some call it a city some call it a port town. I call it home. I've moved away from Pedro but always seem to come back. It is the familiarity and nostalgia that has kept me here.

Pedro is small. Some parts are nice and some parts are not so nice. All of it is Pedro. Its space consists of a largely Croatian and Mexican population. Both cultures exist within my blood.

The expansion is not an attempt to invite more cultures in and mix the good spirit of community, but to draw in profit.

On example is this week's arrival of the Iowa --  a World War II battleship -- will be a floating museum, and is expected to draw 400,000 visitors a year.

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In addition, our Ports O' Call Village is in the midst of a revamp. According to the LA Times, many store owners are fearful that too many changes will take away from the traditional charm that this staple has always been. I fear this too.

The new project that I AM on board with is the Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. Wayne Blank transformed two old World War II-era warehouses into an indoor crafts market where independent artists can sell their works. I have several friends whom are taking advantage of this DIY project. It's like an Etsy extravaganza but away from the internet and into the good graces of human exchange.

Like at the Etsy website, people can shop for quirky DIY jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, housewares, art, food, clothing, and more.

Other extensions of the Pedro face lift include The new, San Pedro Waterfront and 13th Street Promenade.

The LA Times has interviewed various residents in seeking opinions about the changes. City Councilman Joe Buscaino stated, "I see what economic development can do to a community. What L.A. Live has done is weeded out poverty, weeded out the criminal element and put people back to work."

I guess only time will tell.

As mentioned earlier, Pedro is a small city. If you live in Pedro and I don't know you, it may be possible that I know someone whom you know.

For instance: At the very end of the the La Times article, it was mentioned that San Pedro resident Richard Leach paid $10 for a hanging from the plant display at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. He later said to his wife that he should have brought more money to purchase more goods. My eyes widened. Why? Because although I haven't met Richard Leach, I am familiar with his wife. I took tap dance lessons from her in my elementary school days. Fancy that.

The expansion isn't a complete surprise to me. In the last several years, I've noticed condos sprouting in areas that were a little...rustic, shall we say. It was all a matter of time before the big boom.

Despite all the newness, the highlights of San Pedro, will always be my old stomping grounds. Sunken City, The Korean Bell of Friendship, Busy Bee Market, Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, Point Fermin Lighthouse, and even The Green Hills Memorial, where so many of our loved ones are buried.

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Pedro Trivia: Sunken City was featured in the film, The Big Lebowski

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San Pedro Trivia: The Korean Bell was featured in the film, The Usual Suspects

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Point Fermin Lighthouse

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San Pedro Trivia: Author and San Pedro local, Charles Bukowsi was buried at Green Hills Memorial

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San Pedro Trivia: A coffee shop that has greatly changed over the years. For the worse, if you ask most of us. But Sacred has been a place where many a local punk  band has played over the years. In fact Pedro has welcomed some of the greatest punk talent such as Black Flag and Minor Threat. 

Pedro Pride!