Wake-up call for sleepy lagoon: Redondo waterfront business group calls for a halt to city plans
by Garth Meyer Drew Berry, Portofino Hotel general manager, stepped to the podium at the June 16 Redondo Beach city council meeting to say he “strongly opposes” the city’s plan for Seaside Lagoon. In April, the council approved an update to the three-acre public park, including more open sand space, new restrooms and converting the Lagoon into something closer to a pool. The current facility discharges water into the harbor, drawing environmental fines from the state every year. Berry, speaking for the King Harbor Association, said the city was missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity by proposing a “short-term fix rather than a long-term vision.” He announced that the Association would send a formal letter opposing the plan. Among his complaints was the 2027 start date. He contended that the changes may not be finished in time for LA28 or the 2028 BeachLife Festival. Councilmember Zein Obagi, Jr. was the first to respond. “Were you aware of the discussions we had before we (voted on the plan)?” “We hear you, but it’s awfully late,” Mayor Jim Light said next to Berry. “This has been a very slow and deliberative process.” The $10 million cost of the first phase of the Lagoon work…
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