San Pedro’s decades-old entry-way billboard, which has long drawn the ire of the community, finally came down on Monday, July 17.
Seven months after Regency Outdoor Advertising’s lease for the billboard expired, workers arrived with a crane to begin a takedown process that was expected to take about three days — though it was moving much faster than anticipated.
The metal frame was all that remained as of Monday evening.
For decades, the commercial billboard, at the southern end of the 110 Freeway, has greeted motorists exiting into the waterfront community, which has been working to increase its tourist appeal. The billboard has advertised various goods and services over the years.
The takedown project began by removing the panels on the face of the billboard — and next, workers will dismantle the imposing metal frame. That will happen over the next two days.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker — and his 15th District predecessor, Joe Buscaino — have worked to remove the billboard for the years.
“There are a lot of laws built around (protecting) billboards,” McOsker said in a Monday telephone interview. “They have a strong lobby and they push to hang on to these assets.”
The billboard, which towers over nearly an acre of land that greets motorists as they exit the 110 Freeway onto Gaffey Street, faced a legal challenge from the Los Angeles Department of General Services in February, with that agency noting that Regency Outdoor Advertising’s lease ran out at the end of 2022.
A city-imposed deadline to remove the billboard passed, prompting an unlawful detainer to be issued.
McOsker at the time said the inaction was “a slap in the face” to the community.
“This is a great day for the community,” McOsker said in a written comment Monday. “The San Pedro residents came together, organized and persevered to beat a big, billion dollar Goliath.”
Regency did not return a request for comment Monday.
McOsker said he plans…
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