Gambol too much of a Gambol?

by Jessica Duboff

This morning's marathon Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee on Gambol Industries shipyard proposal clocked in at just over 3.5 hours.  A couple weeks ago, at the request of Councilwoman Hahn, City Council had voted to take jurisdiction over the Harbor Committee's decision to sever ties with Gambol. The Commission had ruled that the Gambol proposal would necessitate a re-opening of the permitting process, thus causing a delay to the Main Channel Deepening Project (MCDP), costing thousands of jobs and the region's competitiveness.

Hahn kicked off the meeting by clarifying that "even if we stay here discussing all day, the project is going on right now," then opened the floor for public comment. The hour of public testimony included multiple ILWU leaders who had brought 25+ longshoremen downtown to argue that any delay in the MCDP would "send the wrong message to shippers" and that "jobs lost would overshadow jobs created." The Pacific Merchant Shipping Association brought a number of letters from terminal operators who wrote a delay would be a "disaster to business" and "create a competitive disadvantage." 

Supporting the Gambol shipyard were the Building Construction Trades for the jobs it would bring. The local historical society and Los Angeles Conservancy argued that as a historical port, it would be a win to modernize the old shipbuilding facility, and that it was important to value the connection to San Pedro's World War II past.

Ben Resnick presented on behalf of Gambol, insisting that not one person in the room wanted to do anything to cause a delay to the MCDP project. He believes that according to court precedent, Gambol's proposal would qualify as a "minor modification" for the Army Corp of Engineers and another full analysis would not be necessary.

Dr. Geraldine Knatz, POLA Executive Director, stated that there has "never been a more strategic time for the port" and explained why the staff had reached the conclusions they did. Commission President Cindy Miscikowski and Commissioner Dave Arian defended their decisions with Miscikowski referencing her experience with delays during the LAX Master Plan discussions. Arian warned that he sees the issue "spinning out of control," before passionately justifying that once he learned all the facts, there was no way to have both projects.

With Councilman Bill Rosendahl still recovering from surgery and CM LaBonge absent, Hahn recommended that that the full Council veto the Harbor Commission's decision. However, she then asked that the Harbor Commission return with an action prioritizing finding an alternative viable site at POLA for a shipyard, and thus not threatening the MCDP.

An alternative site just may be the win-win solution everyone has spent two years trying to find.