Monterey Bay Waterfront Park –
History
Background |
Funding | Local and Regional
Purpose | Accomplishments
 Since
the City's Master Plan of 1939, the City of Monterey has had the vision of acquiring open
space and providing public access to our waterfront. The extent of that open space and
public access along our waterfront ranges all the way from our westerly city limit line
with the City of Pacific Grove to our easterly city limit line with the City of Seaside.
Besides many individual projects
already completed, the most recent addition to our wealth of public open space and access
is the completion of the San Carlos Beach Park at the entrance of Cannery Row. This park
is of tremendous benefit not only to the citizens of Monterey, but also to the visitors
and scuba divers who visit Monterey Bay.
The crown jewel of the public open space along
our waterfront is the Window-on-the-Bay project. Originally conceived in 1939, this will
provide tremendous public viewing as well as public access opportunities along our main
traffic artery, Del Monte Avenue. This project has the two-fold purpose of providing
waterfront and recreational access, and allowing the City to make traffic safety
improvements to the central portion of Del Monte Avenue.
The Project is divided into two areas. The "West
Project Area" which extends from near Wharf #2 to Park Avenue. The "East Project
Area" which extends from Park Avenue to Sloat Avenue.
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The City has funding partnerships in this project with the State, County, Packard
Foundation, Coastal Conservancy, Regional Park District, Regional Transportation Agency,
and private citizen donations.
Significant progress on acquiring properties for waterfront
access and the Window-on-the Bay Park has been made. However, more work is needed, such as
the completion of the public park areas near Wharf #2.
In the West Project Area, the demolition of previous
improvements and toxic remediation at the former Luce-Carmel Meat Company property, the
Cellular One property, the Fugazi/Honda property, the Kereta property, and the former
Pebble Beach Co property have been completed. A continued effort in negotiations signifies
a clear vision and commitment toward the quest for more public access.
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Local and Regional Purpose |
The acquisitions and projects already completed, projects in construction now, and
those contemplated by both private owners and the City working together, can be crowned by
the completion of the Window-on-the-Bay Park.
These projects, in fact the entire Monterey Waterfront, can and will serve a local and
regional purpose for our citizens and the visitors that come to the Monterey Peninsula.
- Developed into a public park the four properties acquired in the 1980s at the west end
of the "West Project Area" near Wharf #2.
- Completed the widening of Del Monte Avenue at Monterey's east end adjacent to Seaside
through to the Navy property near Sloat Avenue, near the "East Project Area" of
the Window-on-the-Bay project.
- Acquired the former Color Ad property in the "East Project Area" to continue
progress on the project.
- Completed acquisition and demolition of the following properties and improvements, which
will be converted to park area in the future: Luce-Carmel Meat, Pebble Beach Company,
Cellular One, Fugazi/Honda, and Kereta.
- The City has approved acquisition of the Vapor
Cleaners parcel. Only two (2) privately-owned parcels remain to be acquired in the West
Project Area.
- The City has acquired the 2.62 acres, former Southern Pacific/ Sante Fe Railroad, West
parcel from Catellus Development Corporation.
- The City has received the exclusive option to purchase the 4.486 acre, former Southern
Pacific/ Sante Fe Railroad, East Parcel from Catellus Development Corporation.
- Continues to set aside a portion of available funds into an opportunity-buying property
acquisition account for the project.
- Work with State agencies and Private organizations to secure leverage/partner funding to
complete the project.
- Continuing to identify Window on the Bay as a high priority.
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