Director of San Pedro Revitalization Group Quits

The executive director of San Pedro Revitalization Corp. has resigned, just as the organization is beginning a major public improvement program in the downtown business district.

Larry Montgomery, who has been the corporation’s first and only manager since it set up shop in January, 1985, is leaving to obtain a master’s degree in real estate development from USC.

Friday will be his last day at the corporation, which administers government-financed improvements to San Pedro’s “downtown revitalization corridor”--an L-shaped area that includes Pacific Avenue from 5th to 9th streets, and 6th and 7th streets from Pacific Avenue to Centre Street.

“I’ve spent a long time in publicly funded programs and would kind of like to try the private side of things,” Montgomery said last Friday.

Beautification Program

Montogmery’s leaving coincides with the beginning of a $700,000 beautification program that will bring new trees, public benches and spruced-up sidewalks to the downtown area. Construction on the project, which is expected to be completed by Nov. 15, began Friday.

Board secretary Anne Gusha’ said she did not think Montgomery’s departure will hinder the corporation’s programs.

“Everything is pretty well set,” she said.

Marketing specialist Nancy Taylor, one of the corporation’s three paid staff members besides Montgomery, will act as executive director until a replacement can be found. Montgomery, whose salary is nearly $50,000 a year, said the board has set the salary range between $41,000 and $53,000 annually for the job.

In addition to the street improvements, Montgomery said, the revitalization corporation has several other programs planned, including:

A proposal to create a “maintenance district” by which property owners in the revitalization corridor will be assessed an annual fee for maintenance of street improvements, such as sidewalk cleaning and tree care.

A separate plan to raise money for activities, such as the San Pedro Street Faire, by assessing merchants in the revitalization corridor.

A plan to ease San Pedro’s downtown parking crunch by asking the city of Los Angeles to purchase land adjacent to a city-owned parking lot on 7th Street. The expansion would double the size of the existing 45-space lot.

Montgomery came to San Pedro after seven years as a planner for Montebello. During his tenure, he has helped property owners to obtain public money to upgrade building facades and reinforce buildings for earthquakes.

He said he is “extremely proud and satisfied with what’s been accomplished.”