CenterCal CEO Fred Bruning loves to point out two things to new visitors to his office: First, a painting of him in action, flying his World War II-era Stearman biplane; and second, the fact that the Redondo Pier is seen jutting into the waters of the Santa Monica Bay in the paintingโs background. Itโs a point of pride for Bruning that he has flown his Stearman over Redondo so many times.
So itโs only appropriate that a smaller, scale model of his plane is included in a 16 foot by 7 foot scale model of CenterCalโs proposed reimagining of the Redondo Waterfront, which was unveiled at CenterCalโs El Segundo offices on Friday, July 22.
The model was built by Orange-based Glenn R. Johnson Models for a price in the โlow six figures.โ Bruning declined to reveal exactly how much was spent, but as those who have studied 2-D drawings of the project can attest, the 3-D model was worth the price in detail alone.
โIโm shocked,โ said Mayor Steve Aspel, who was on hand for the unveiling, alongside Public Arts Commissioner Paul Moses. โThe Meistrell and Freeth statues are in thereโฆno matter how much you pay attention to the plans, you canโt easily visualize the project.โ
The model, showing the project area between Portofino Way and Torrance Boulevard west of Harbor Drive, took about 10 weeks to complete, said Glenn R. Johnson owner Tony Prevesto. The laser-cut, Plexiglass model was handpainted. LEDs throughout the model can be turned on and off, building-by-building.
Details abound, from cabanas atop the new hotelโs rooftop pool to the statues of Body Glove founders Bob and Bill Meistrell and pioneer surfer George Freeth, at opposite ends of the 16 foot by 7 foot, one-sixteenth scale model. The model includes the neighboring Crowne Plaza Hotel building, the Village and Seascape condominiums and Czuleger Park.
Bruning pointed out distinctive details, such as the drawbridge spanning Basin 3 and the boutique hotelโs rooftop pool. He explained his vision for drop-off areas by Seaside Lagoon โ kayakers and stand-up paddlers could take equipment down to storage areas, park at the nearby garage, and then meet their friends and their equipment down by the water.
CenterCalโs Waterfront still has hurdles to clear. The Redondo Beach Harbor Commission has to approve the projectโs Environmental Impact Report, and can still tweak the project. Should any changes be made, theyโll be reflected in the model, Bruning said. ย
On July 27, CenterCal announced that they will be holding an open house meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the company offices, from 5 to 8 p.m. The company will also be giving tours by appointment on select days, asking visitors to schedule visitsย by calling (310) 563-6900.
Bruningย does hope, though, that CenterCalโs offices will not be the modelโs last home.
โIf the project gets approved, weโd love to put the model on the Waterfront,โ Bruning said. โWeโd like people to come down, see what it is, and judge for themselves.โ
