The Port of Los Angeles will get an amusement park with a large observation wheel as part of West Harbor, the attraction being built to replace Ports O’ Call in San Pedro.
With the project’s $155-million first phase, which will include restaurants, bars and shops, set to open late next year, its developers announced plans to expedite construction of the next phase, which calls for more food tenants as well as an array of outdoor pickleball and padel courts.
The West Harbor Wheel, as the Ferris wheel will be known, will be as high as 150 feet — about 50% higher than the Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park amusement center on Santa Monica Pier, he said. Riders will occupy enclosed gondolas that will provide views of the working port, the USS Iowa battleship, the Vincent Thomas Bridge and passing cruise ships.
Other attractions in the amusement park will include a carousel, a wave swinger and other carnival rides operated by SkyView Partners of St. Louis.
The second phase will cost about $45 million, bringing the total cost for the first two phases to $200 million, said Eric Johnson, president of Jerico Development, which is co-developing West Harbor with the Ratkovich Co. Tenants will spend another $75 million building out their spaces, he estimated.