CenterCal Sues Redondo Beach Over Waterfront Redevelopment

REDONDO BEACH, CA -- Three weeks ago, voters in Redondo Beach overwhelming voted to halt the planned $400-million redevelopment of the city's waterfront, this week, the project developers filed a lawsuit to block the measure from taking effect.

The 30-page complaint, which was filed Tuesday by Redondo WaterFront LLC, a subsidiary of CenterCal Properties, seeks to invalidate the voter-approved measure C, which passed with 57.1 percent of the vote on March 7. The suit alleges that the initiative was "illegal, unconstitutional and invalid" and therefore can't be enforced.

CenterCal also filed a separate claim against Redondo Beach on Tuesday for the money it said it has invested in the project since partnering with the city in 2012. The company is seeking $14 million in damages. CenterCal also contributed more than half a million dollars to the campaign to defeat Measure C.

The proposed waterfront renovations along the 15-acre project spanning the Redondo Beach Pier, International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach Marina and Pier Plaza include a high-end movie theater, several chain restaurants and a two-lane road connecting Torrance Boulevard to Harbor Drive.

The project, however, has faced stiff pushback from the slow-growth members of the community. The project is too big, too commercialized and will create a traffic nightmare, they said. Others say the renovation is much needed because of the decrepit state of the neglected pier.

Photo courtesy of CenterCal