A pair of government-owned properties near the San Pedro Municipal Building could be poised for development, according to a motion recently introduced by Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino.

The first property, located at 711 Beacon Street, is an approximately 35,000-square-foot parking lot owned by the City of Los Angeles.  The second, a vacant building, is located on an abutting property.  Together, the two sites comprise a full city block bounded by 7th, 8th, Beacon and Palos Verdes Streets.

Noting that the San Pedro community has continued to "evolve as a local and regional destination for arts, culture, entertainment and dining," Buscaino writes that is in the interest of both the City and County to coordinate efforts to explore a re-use of these properties - potentially through a solicitation for redevelopment proposals.

The motion, which has been referred to the City Council's Economic Development Committee for consideration, directs City departments to initiate a review of the property at 711 S. Beacon Street and hire a consultant to determine the highest and best use for the property.

This is the second City-owned parking lot in San Pedro which Buscaino has targeted for redevelopment.  A request for proposals is in the works for another property, located at 500 S. Mesa Street, following a vote taken earlier this month by the City Council.

The County has also sought to redevelop its unused parcels in the San Pedro neighborhood, highlighted by a former courthouse site at 5th and Centre Streets, which is currently slated for a mixed-use housing and retail project.

Several mixed-use projects are already in construction or predevelopment nearby, including a 375-unit housing complex at 5th and Palos Verdes Streets, as well as the proposed adaptive reuse of the 12-story Topaz Building.