Long Beach : Lawsuit Filed Against Port Cargo Terminal Expansion

A group of businesses endangered by the city of Long Beach’s West 7th Street Terminal Expansion Project has sued the city and Board of Harbor Commissioners.

The lawsuit, filed April 23 in Los Angeles Superior Court, will attempt to stop the city from moving ahead with the plan to expand a ship container cargo facility. To make way for the expansion, six nearby businesses would be leveled.

A writ was issued at the request of nearby businesses in October by Superior Court Judge Ronald Sohigian, forbidding the city from going ahead with the planned expansion, said Mark Schaeffer, an attorney representing the businesses.

However, city officials filed a notice with the county clerk last month that stated their intention to proceed, Schaeffer said.

The lawsuit filed last week will attempt to force city officials to comply with the judge’s writ, Schaeffer said. Joining in the suit are Al Larson Boat Shop, L. G. Everist Inc., Mitsubishi Cement Corp., World Oil Co. and Warland Investments. The sixth business, Powerine Oil Co., did not join the lawsuit.

Senior Deputy City Atty. Einar Petersen said the city has appealed the judge’s October writ but does not expect the case to be settled soon.