Port of Los Angeles High School has submitted a transformative County proposal to expand our footprint onto the vacant courthouse property at 6th and Centre Street.
The strength of our proposal lies in its ability to serve multiple community priorities through education, workforce preparation, arts, athletics, and local commerce, creating lasting public value and broad community benefit.
For more than 20 years, POLAHS has been deeply woven into the fabric of Downtown San Pedro. When our founders first dreamed of a new high school in San Pedro, they did so with a profound belief: that a great school in the heart of downtown could serve as a powerful engine for economic development and neighborhood revitalization. That dream was realized, and today our California Distinguished School proudly graduates 250 college- and career-bound students each year while partnering with local businesses, restaurants, nonprofits, and unions, among many others.
However, our main campus, with its small footprint, is currently operating at 100% capacity. This proposal follows an exhaustive, five-year search for alternative sites with a realtor. Ultimately, developing this vacant lot offers the greatest advantages for both POLAHS and the community.
Here’s how a vibrant civic hub would serve our students and the greater San Pedro community:
A Regional Hub for Skilled Trades & Workforce Development. POLAHS is widely recognized for its Career Technical Education programs and its commitment to regional workforce needs. The proposed Workforce Development Center would provide dedicated facilities and parking for construction, welding, engineering technologies, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and maritime career pathways. These pathways reflect both the Harbor Area’s history and the industries that continue to shape the future of the Port of Los Angeles and the regional economy.
During the day, our students will have opportunities to pursue industry certifications, technical training, and apprenticeship preparation in partnership with local labor unions. After hours and on weekends, this facility will open to the community as a regional workforce development center, offering adult education, journeyman-level certifications (including Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, 4G/5G, Pipe, Stick, TIG Welding, and more), and programs for local high school and middle school partners.
We are the natural, living bridge between our historic downtown district and the incredible redevelopment happening on the waterfront. POLAHS is preparing the exact next-generation workforce the Port of Los Angeles needs to sustain this growth.
Multipurpose Gymnasium & Theater – A Downtown Sports and Tourism Driver. The proposal includes a new gymnasium and theater to support athletics, youth activities, performances, assemblies, educational programs, and community gatherings. For the first time in POLAHS history, this development would allow our athletes to host home CIF sports games on campus, eliminating the need to travel and avoiding scheduling conflicts at community facilities. It will also provide a significant economic boost to downtown, as visitors, students, and families will support our local restaurants, shops, and businesses year-round.
Visual and Performing Arts Center & “Pixels” – An Arts District Anchor. San Pedro has long been recognized for its vibrant arts community. The proposal seeks to build on that tradition by creating a dedicated Visual Arts Center and a permanent home for POLAHS’ acclaimed “Pixels” digital photography gallery. The facility would offer classrooms, studios, exhibition areas, and creative workspaces that support photography, visual arts, digital arts, and artistic collaboration. The Visual Arts Center and Pixels Gallery are intentionally designed to support student exhibitions, community showcases, educational workshops, and cultural programming throughout the year.
Furthermore, all spaces will reflect our community’s character and aesthetics.
Outdoor Amphitheater and Gathering Spaces. One of the proposal’s defining features is the decision to dedicate the property’s most prominent corner at 6th and Centre Streets to an outdoor amphitheater, plaza, and public gathering space rather than to a building.
These spaces are designed to foster a welcoming connection between the campus and downtown. The amphitheater, plaza, Visual Arts Center, and Pixels gallery offer opportunities for student showcases, community events, cultural programming, and participation in traditions such as San Pedro’s First Thursday ArtWalk.
Together, these spaces help create a community-driven, recession-proof civic anchor that brings permanent, daily vitality to downtown San Pedro for generations to come.
We are deeply grateful for the community’s continued partnership as we work together to build a thriving center of education, arts, and commerce for families in San Pedro and for visitors alike. spt
Tim Dikdan currently serves as principal of Port of Los Angeles High School and is a founding faculty member.
Share Your Comments