Conceptual drawings will debut Wednesday at a public meeting in Marina del Rey
By Gary Walker
The operators of Fisherman’s Village are considering an extensive remodel that would better integrate waterfront activities
Photo by Pat Reynolds
The leaseholder for Marina del Rey’s iconic Fisherman’s Village is expected on Wednesday to unveil early conceptual drawings that contemplate a significant makeover of the waterfront retail and recreation destination.
Gold Coast Village LLC, the lessee developing the 1.2-acre parcel at 13755 Fiji Way, is slated to present the renderings during a 10 a.m. meeting of the Los Angeles County Small Craft Harbors Commission at the Burton Chace Park Community Room.
Aaron Clark, a land use consultant representing Gold Coast Village, spoke largely in generalities about the proposed makeover because concepts are still evolving. But Clark said he believes the public will be happy about many elements of the plan.
“I think it will be very exciting for the community. [Fisherman’s Village] doesn’t presently have any real connection to the water, and that is something that we took very seriously in this proposal,” Clark said. “The type of environment that they’re creating is something that you won’t find elsewhere in Los Angeles County.”
In addition to better integrating waterfront activities with the outdoor mall area, Gold Coast Village is considering more “high-quality” retail shops, new restaurants and even a hotel, Clark said.
Fisherman’s Village is an integral part of Los Angeles County’s redevelopment “visioning” plan for Marina del Rey, but public officials say it would need upgrades to keep pace with future development.
While it remains a weekend recreational destination and a launching point for boat rentals and harbor cruises, county officials consider Fisherman’s Village outdated and underutilized.
“Fisherman’s Village should be the No. 1 visitors spot in the marina,” said Small Craft Harbors Commissioner Russell Lesser. “I think the whole world is in agreement that something needs to be done there.”
Members of the Small Craft Harbors Commission and the county’s Design Control Board reviewed a remodeling proposal by Beverly Hills architects Jack Hollander & Associates last year, but the firm is no longer involved with the project and Gold Coast Village is instead working with Long Beach-based architects Studio One Eleven.
“I’m going to reserve judgment until I see the new designs, but what I’ve seen so far is a good start,” Lesser said.
Last year’s renderings integrated Fisherman Village’s iconic New England-style lighthouse into the new design, but Clark said no decision has been made about the lighthouse for the current proposal.
At this time last year, the future of Fisherman’s Village was uncertain at best. County officials were proposing to relocate the public launch on Fiji Way to the Fisherman’s Village parcel, which would have meant demolishing Fisherman’s Village and rebuilding something like it in place of the boat launch.
L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe intervened to scrub that proposal last May following a flurry of public opposition. He declined to comment about current plans coming before the Small Craft Harbors Commission.
Michael Leneman, owner of the boat design shop and brokerage Multi Marine on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, was among the most vocal opponents of moving the boat launch.
Leneman said that after the meeting last May he toured Fisherman’s Village with a member of the Pashaie family (one of two families who lease the Fisherman’s Village parcel from the county) and suggested incorporating a stand up paddleboard dock into any new design.
“There are a lot of people who use paddleboards in the marina, and it would give people in the marina with small boats somewhere to go. They could come to [Fisherman’s Village] to shop without using a car,” said Leneman.
Leneman disagrees with redevelopment opponents who say the quaint and brightly painted wooden buildings of Fisherman’s Village should remain in place as a matter of historic preservation.
“There’s nothing California or significant about that kind of architecture,” he said.
gary@argonautnews.com
I AM JUST HOPING THAT THEY STILL HAVE THE BANDS ON WEEKENDS IN THE AFTERNOONS FOR FAMILIES, ELDERLY CHILDREN TO ENJOY MUSIC DANCING FROM 2-5 PM OR 1-4PM AS IN THE PAST YEARS. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS AWAY FROM US WHO NEED THIS PLEASURES IN LIFE. MARIAN K
Although I agree the music should be retained.
I want to see the maritime aspects tastefully enhanced if there is to be change.
This is an opportunity to do something special.
The last thing that should be considered is a
water front shopping mall which seems to be the direction that things are going.
i hope they continue the small restaurants and music 2-5PM ENJOYED IT FOR 20 YEARS. RIVA KENT
I HAVE 20 FRIENDS COMING THERE FROM 40 TO 90 YEARS OF AGE. PLEASE DO NOT DISCONTINUE MUSIC AND SMALL TYPE RESTAURANTS. WE NEED THEM. DO NOT TAKE AWAY THE OLD CHARM THANK YOU. ALBERT ENRIEQ
I grew up going to Fisherman’s Village and loved it for many years. While it still has a sentimental place in my heart, it has been in need of a serious upgrade for the last 30 years or so. That being said, It would be a tragedy to remove the iconic look that so many of us love and replace it with something that doesn’t include the original buildings as well!
I HOPE THEY DO NOT TAKE AWAY THE ENTERTAINMENTS ON WEEKENDS AS THIS IS THE MEETING PLACE. TO SOCIALIZE EAT, AND DANCE TO MUSIC ON STURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. I GREW UP IN THIS AREA. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT PART. RIVA KATE