The historic district is noteworthy for possessing man-made wetland canals, built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America.

Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy, in coastal Los Angeles County.

The lit canals with gondoliers and arched bridges drew widespread publicity and helped sell lots in the development.

[2] The district remained in poor condition for more than 40 years; numerous proposals to renovate the canals failed due to lack of funding, environmental concerns, and disputes as to who should bear the financial responsibility.

The water enters the canals through sea gates in the Marina Del Rey breakwater via the Ballona Lagoon, and again in Washington Boulevard.

Assessments were sent to the property owners, and Mayor Thomas Bradley did a news photo with local residents of the first shovel.

However, a lawsuit by Summa Corporation, the Howard Hughes Company, and a man named Mr. Green stopped the project.

The VCA obtained signatures of 77% of the property owners to form an assessment district and have the Venice Canals restored or rehabilitated.

The original assessment project was sponsored by the Venice Canals Association (VCA) in 1977 during Pat Russel's term as City Councilperson.

Those opposing any improvements did not want to see the sidewalks returned to public use, did not want to pay for the assessment, and used the fish and wildlife as a red herring.

In 1983, Ruth Galanter was elected to the City Council office and inherited the Vertical Wall plan neighborhood sponsored assessment for improving the Venice Canals.

Galanter asked the Coastal Conservancy to review the options for the canals, and the state agency returned several plans suggestions, including one using a material called Armorflex.

Loffelstein, or Loffel Block, was identified by a VCA site committee member Andy Shores as possibly meeting those goals.

Mark obtain the services of a local architect to help present an artist rendering of the Loffel Block plan.

Councilwoman Galanter and City Engineers drop the gentle slope, and designed the entire project at 55 degrees.

After several years of study and review of both materials, Mark Galanty sent a letter to Ruth Galanter congratulating her on her success.

Mark Galanty, worked with the residents, property owners, and canal stakeholders to eliminate any opposition to the compromise plan using Loffel Block.

The city designed the restoration to be built in two phases in order to not disrupt the wildlife (tern, Coots, egrets, herons, ducks, etc.).

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Galanter, negotiated a deal with the Summa Corporation, and other property owners under the Ballona Lagoon, to eliminate any issues with water flow rights to the Venice Canals.

Due to the signal of support from the staff and Coastal Commissioners, most of those in favor of the project passed on speaking.

Two gondolas from Naples, a Long Beach, California neighborhood built on three islands, were rented to take passengers on the Venice Canals as they had in 1906.