re:port Summer 2014 - Port of Long Beach

re:port A Community Newsletter from the Port of Long Beach

Summer 2014

Building a better harbor together

inside

See Page 4

Moving On

Page 2

Port Operations

Page 3

Bridge Work



Page 6

Harbor Tours



Page 8

Middle Harbor

Fun this Summer

The jobs and careers created by the project

A close-up on Port community events

Page 4

Page 7

The Port's maintenance staff relocated to 725 Harbor Plaza, above. Meanwhile, the Port's administrative staff moved out near the Long Beach Airport, below.

Harbor Department Makes Double Move Employees of the Port of Long Beach moved into not one, but two new buildings recently. A majority of the Harbor Department clerical, engineering and planning personnel moved into new Interim Administrative Offices near Long Beach Airport, while members of the Department’s Maintenance Division made the shift to a new, permanent home within the Port.

Right across the street from the Port’s old “admin” headquarters on Harbor Plaza, the new Maintenance Facilities were built. The old Maintenance Yard was in the way of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project. The old yard, at 1400 W. Broadway, west of Pico Avenue, has been demolished to allow construction to begin on the new bridge.

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Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

Maintenance Division workshops, offices, garages, storage areas, vehicle-washing bays and refueling stations have found a new home at 725 Harbor Plaza, a half-mile west of the Queen Mary.

unsafe and inadequate for the Department’s needs. Moving a work force of more than 300 people was no easy task. The move took place over four weekends during February and March.

This new state-of-the-art complex earned a “gold level” certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building program. Buildings that are LEED – certified meet internationally recognized “green” standards. These buildings are energy-efficient, water-conserving, and environmentally friendly.

“This is the Port’s fourth administration building,” said Jamilla Vollmann, Capital Projects Coordinator for the Harbor Department. “After spending more than 50 years in the previous structure, it was time to go.”

One of the reasons for the LEED achievement is the new maintenance complex’s solar array, which is the third-largest in Long Beach at 323 kilowatts. A bigger move for Harbor Department staffers was the one to the new Interim Administrative Offices near the Long Beach Airport and next to the Marriott Hotel, at 4801 Airport Plaza Drive. The Port Administration Building on Harbor Plaza, opened in 1960, was found to be seismically

But the new home is temporary. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is committed to returning to a headquarters in downtown Long Beach, close to the Port.

Did you know the Port has the third – largest solar array in Long Beach? 1. Long Beach Convention Center: 750 kw

2. Long Beach City College: 400 kw 3. Port Maintenance Facilities: 323 kw

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WHAT IS THE

PORT

TEUs

PORT INVESTMENTS

PORT OF LONG BEACH 101

#2

More than just cranes and ships, the iconic Port of Long Beach is a key economic engine for Southern California and critical to the world trade ecosystem.

Although a public

Busiest port in the U.S.

agency, the Port’s operations are

$180 BILLION

Worth of cargo is imported through the port annually

not supported by tax dollars. Instead, its revenues

4,000

$4

BILLION

Ongoing infrastructure investment

Focus on sustainability

come from leasing

Ships dock at the port each year

marine terminals.

Education From scholarships to internships and field trips, the port is a strong supporter of education in the community. Community Outreach Family-friendly events and harbor tours are just two of many ways the Port stays connected with Long Beach residents.

81%

Emissions reduction since 2005.

Goods are transported in shipping containers measured in TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units)

ON THE

WEB: For a humorous look at Port operations, go to: www.polb.com/portops

Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

Page 3

Workers install rebar that will reinforce concrete at the Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Project.

Dani Rupel digs her new career.

Getting Their Hands Dirty at Jobs They All Love Local workers building careers at Middle Harbor Zach Kidman was a part-time martial arts instructor when a friend told him about an apprenticeship opportunity to become an electrician. The lifelong resident of Long Beach jumped at the chance. Today he is working on the Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project in the Port of Long Beach and gaining experience in his new career. “It’s challenging, you learn something new every day. It’s a lot better than working in an office,” said Kidman, right before he scaled a refrigerated container stacking structure to complete wiring for lighting fixtures.

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Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

The $1.3 billion Middle Harbor construction project is transforming two of the Port's oldest terminals into one state-of-the-art container terminal equipped with advanced technology. Kidman is one of the thousands of workers – many of whom live in Long Beach – employed either as an apprentice like Kidman or a journeyman in their longstanding line of work. Under direction of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the Harbor Department has sought ways to make sure Long Beach residents – experienced hands and beginners – have the opportunity to find jobs at the project. The Port

teamed with the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network and the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council to provide opportunities to area residents like Kidman who are willing to start a new career in the construction trades. “They teach you everything, it’s all hands on, school and training,” said Kidman, who is working his way through a five-year apprenticeship. Andy Becker, a site supervisor for Dynalectric, the firm employing electricians like Kidman, said the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ apprenticeship

A welder works on steel framing at one of Middle Harbor's new structures.

Construction workers lay rails for stacking cranes.

program is for those who don’t mind starting at the bottom, getting their hands dirty and working outdoors.

design work on swimming pools and landscaping, but was looking for something more her speed.

Michelle Cummings of Long Beach is working on her apprenticeship with the International Union of Operating Engineers as a heavy equipment operator at Middle Harbor. She learned about the IUOE program at a job fair. She’s nearly one year into a threeyear program to become a full union member. In between scrambling in and out of trenches to measure grade angles one recent day, she said she loves the work and she likes working in her town at Middle Harbor.

“I’m not an office girl,” Rupel said. Working the backhoe and also surveying the layout for excavation is much more her kind of work. So much so, that it’s not even like work. “I really haven’t worked a day in my life since I started doing this,” said Rupel, clad in hardhat, safety glasses and reflective vest.

“I had always seen big heavy equipment, and I was fascinated by it. I always wanted to operate it, Cummings said. “This is one of the most desirable places to be. Everybody wants to work out here.” Dani Rupel would agree. Rupel is an apprentice heavy equipment operator. About two years ago, the Long Beach resident was doing 3-D

The Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved three “Project Labor Agreements” for Middle Harbor. The PLAs set goals for the hiring of workers from Los Angeles and Orange counties at fair wages. And in order to focus on Long Beach residents, the Port in January 2014 created the “Middle Harbor Community Partner” designation to recognize those companies that hire workers from the Port’s city. The top performer in that program was the Manson Construction/

Connolly Pacific joint venture, which is constructing wharf and backlands, with 16.4 percent of all working hours being completed by Long Beach workers. Several other companies have also earned the Community Partner designation. “We designed the Community Partner program to recognize those companies who have done the most for workers from Long Beach and encourage others to follow their lead,” said the Port’s Acting Director of Construction Management, Suzanne Plezia.

ON THE

WEB: For information on job and apprenticeship opportunities, go to www.polb.com/jobresources or www.hirelb.org. Or call Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network at (562) 570-WORK.

Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

Page 5

With the razing of ramps from the 710 Freeway, construction will move ahead on the foundations for the replacement bridge.

Ramps to Terminal Island Demolished to Make Way for Replacement Bridge LEGEND EA

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STAY CONNECTED For real-time traffic reports, video and text alerts for Port construction closures and detours throughout the harbor complex, download a free mobile app developed by the Port of Long Beach. The app includes audio updates in English and Spanish. To download, go to www.newgdbridge.com Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

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The Port of Long Beach

During the next two-and-a-half years, all vehicles normally using the

Page 6

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With detour routes clearly marked, and electronic message boards and restriped lanes delineating route changes, traffic continues to move smoothly.

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The work started on May 10 and involves demolishing the existing ramp to make way for a wider connector with a more gradual rise. The new connector will reopen with the completion of the first half of the new bridge.

Those headed for Terminal Island, Wilmington and San Pedro can bypass the closure entirely by using existing options that include Anaheim Street, the Terminal Island (State Route 103) Freeway, SR-47, and the Harbor (I-110) Freeway. The work has no impact on southbound I-710 lanes into downtown Long Beach.

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“This is the stretch of roadway that connects the southbound 710 to the existing bridge,” said John Pope, Community Relations Manager for the Port of Long Beach. “We've spread the word so drivers know to plan ahead.”

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ive

For the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project, that includes the southbound Long Beach (Interstate 710) Freeway connector ramp to westbound Ocean Boulevard.

connector are being diverted onto surface streets at the Pico Avenue/ Piers B, C, D, E off-ramp. Traffic bound for Terminal Island will head south on Pico Avenue to the westbound Ocean Boulevard on-ramp. Traffic headed for Piers B, C, D and E will continue south on Pico Avenue.

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Before a new bridge goes up, a few things need to come down.

Great Sand Sculpture Contest Aug. 16-17 at Granada Beach.

Come enjoy our Port-sponsored Summer Beach Party events: Movies on the Beach

June to September Mother's Beach, Appian Way below Second Street Granada Beach, 5101 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts July-Aug. various parks.

Pirate Invasion of the Belmont Pier

June 28-29 Belmont Pier, Ocean Blvd. and Livingston Drive

4th of July Party on the Pier Belmont Pier

Love Long Beach Festival July 19-20 Granada Beach

Kids Fishing Rodeo Tiki Beach Festival Aug. 23-24 Granada Beach.

Like, Follow, Subscribe Connect with us for the latest Port updates, news and events by liking, following, subscribing and signing up for our emails at polb.com/subscribe, or on social media:

Facebook.com/portoflb

Aug. 1 Granada Beach

Great Sand Sculpture Contest Aug. 16-17 Granada Beach

Tiki Beach Festival Aug. 23-24 Granada Beach

K9 Fest

Sept. 13-14 Granada Beach

Instagram: @portoflongbeach Twitter: @portoflongbeach YouTube.com/portoflongbeach

View our Beach Party video! www.POLB.com/beachparty #POLBbeachparty

Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

Page 7

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4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815 562-283-7700 | www.polb.com

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Join the Fun – Port Offers Free Harbor Tours Guests are getting up-close views of massive cargo ships, the Middle Harbor construction project and other fascinating aspects of the workings of the Port of Long Beach during this year’s Harbor Tours. The free tours, held four times a month from now through early November, embark from Shoreline Village in downtown Long Beach. The tours allow the public to see much of the Port complex from a

fresh perspective – off the deck of a boat. Port staff members narrate the 90-minute expeditions, offering insights and little-known facts about the Port and the harbor. “It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Port that the public can’t otherwise get,” Port Communications Director Michael Gold says. “There’s really no better way to see the Port than from the water.” And as Gold emphasizes, no two tours are the same. “Sometimes we see wildlife – dolphins, sea lions, pelicans,” he says. “Other times it’s all about ship traffic and barges.” This year, the Port will offer cruises on the first and third Saturdays at 10 a.m., and the second and fourth Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. The nighttime excursion is otherwise known as the sunset tour. Day or night, the Harbor Tours are the best way to see and understand the Port of Long Beach, which is North America’s second-busiest container seaport, regularly welcoming the largest ships that are more than three football fields long.

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Port of Long Beach | Summer 2014

WHAT: Harbor Tours WHEN: First and third Saturday mornings, and second and fourth Thursday evenings through early November WHERE: Board the boat at Shoreline Village in downtown Long Beach HOW: Make a reservation at www.polb.com/porttours on the first Monday of each month for the following month’s tours