AltaSea marine research center in San Pedro gets $3 million federal grant

A $3 million federal grant for AltaSea, the new marine research facility being created on the San Pedro waterfront, was announced Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn, D-San Pedro.

The grant comes from the Economic Development Administration and the funds will go toward modernizing City Dock No. 1, AltaSea’s building site.

“This ambitious project will not only be home to the future of marine research, it will bring millions of dollars of new investment into our community and create hundreds of new jobs and opportunities for local residents,” Hahn said in a written statement.

Marine archeologist Robert Ballard and his exploration blue-and-white vessel, the E/V Nautilus, is making AltaSea its winter home.

The century-old wharf will be transformed into a 35-acre marine research campus over the next several years.