Trader Joes, West Marine Proposed in Pier 44 Redevelopment Plan

A Trader Joes and a West Marine store are among the recommended retailers in a proposed plan to redevelop Marina del Rey's Pier 44.

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors will review the proposal for the 13-acre site during a special Design Control Board meeting Tuesday night at Burton Chace Park.

In the submitted proposal to the county, developer Jack Hollander of Jack Hollander and Associates outlined a 15 points of improvement for Pier 44 and said all existing buildings will be demolished. Among the proposed improvements is the addition of a specialty market, facility improvements for boaters, upgrades for the existing bicycle path and the addition of a major marine retailer.

Both Trader Joes and West Marine were recommended as new retailers in the improvement plan.

"When analyzing the needs of boaters and the larger Marina Del Rey community, the idea of including a specialty market, such as a Trader Joe’s seems ideal for this project," Hollander wrote in the proposal. "A market will allow for the convenient sale of food and beverages within close walking
distance to the marina and the soon-to-be-expanded Burton Chace Park."

Hollander also said that the needs of local boaters were first and foremost in the plans with the addition of boater restrooms, showers, laundry facilities and a new boater lounge.

"Our proposed development plan for Pier 44 can certainly be called a 'boaters’
paradise,'" Hollander said. "As designed, boaters will be able to buy boats, purchase boat parts, store their boats, as well as, buy food and beverages without leaving the site."

For visitors to Marina del Rey, the redevelopment plan proposes a new promenade, new retail space and a new 8,000-square-foot restaurant. Hollander added that a major restaurant is already in the negotiation process for the space.

"We have tried to create in the new proposed Site Plan an environment which provides great services to boaters and local residents while attracting visitors from surrounding communities," Hollander wrote. "We have replaced existing building functions catering to boaters’ needs and added a variety of functions which will enhance boaters’ and visitors experience."

The full proposal, including detailed maps and drawings, can be viewed online on the county's website.

For those interested in adding their input on the proposed plans, the Design Control Board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Burton Chace Park Community Building.