Gallery Tour of Seaside/Marina 

"Seaside Highlands, one of the more recently completed Master Planned Communities sets the tone of a well planned revitalization under the careful guidance of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority and the Marina Strategic Development Center."

"Some of these include the Seaside Resort Development in Seaside and several new housing projects in Marina over the next several years, including Marina Heights, University Villages and Armstrong Ranch."

"From this area is access to education and technology centers such as CSU, Monterey Bay, UC Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology and the Panetta Institute.”  

Avalar Estates of Monterey Bay 

City of Marina at Monterey Bay
Marina, Spanish for seacoast or shore, is situated in the heart of the Monterey Bay Crescent perched at the edge of the Nation’s largest marine sanctuary. Soaring to new heights as it celebrates the 30th anniversary of incorporation, Marina is the fastest growing city on the Monterey Coastline. The current population of 19,163 is expected to double over the next 20 years, including the surrounding areas.  

History
From the early 1800’s to the end of the 19th century, Fort Ord and the area now called Marina was inhabited mainly by rattlesnakes, jackrabbits and the Calendarruc, Rumsen and Ensen Indians, subsidiaries of the Ohlone Indians.  

History archives begin with the story of two men, David Jacks and James Bardin, who together owned 9,000 acres of land which comprise the city boundaries of today’s Marina.  

In December 1886, a man named John Armstrong purchased 2,800 acres from the Bardin heirs. This became named Sand Hill Ranch. The Armstrong family raised potatoes on this land with the exception of 400 hundred acres located near the ocean until 1930.. These 400 acres were sold to the San Francisco Sand Company in 1906 in order to furnish the much needed sand to rebuild San Francisco after the earthquake.  

In 1913 a 40-year-old real estate salesman from San Francisco named Mr. Locke-Paddon came to Monterey Peninsula looking for land to buy for subdividing. He found 1,500 acres to the south of the Sand Hill Ranch that looked promising. After considerable persuasion by Locke-Paddon the San Rafael Bank made a $1,000 loan.  

Locke-Paddon was aware that the Southern Pacific Railroad was going to need to lay track through the middle of this land. With a guarantee of at least 30 passengers a month, the train made a flag stop which was originally named “Mile Post 117”. Mr. Locke-Paddon began laying out 5-acre parcels, which he sold for $75 per acre. What followed was a landscape dotted with unpainted wooden shacks across the land.  

Mile Post 117 began to be known as “Badin,” then “Locke-Paddon Colonies,” then “Paddonville”. Lock-Paddon hated the name so much that in 1918, he renamed it Marina. Today, A.J. Spurs restaurant sits on a small part of the original 400-acre sand dune.  

In 1917 15,809 acres were purchased from the David Jacks family by the Army and was known as Gigling Reservation after German Immigrant Settlers. 

The 76th Field Artillery (Horse-drawn/nicknamed “Black Horse”) and the infantry Regiment used Gigling Reservation in East Garrison for maneuvers.  

In 1919 Calvary Commander John M. Jenkins set up Headquarters at the Presidio of Monterey and Gigling Reservation. It was at this time that the 11th Calvary arrived.  

In 1933 Gigling Reservation was renamed Camp Ord after Major General Edward Ortho Cresap Ord and renamed again in 1940 to Fort Ord, becoming a permanent Army Institution. 

Between 1941 and 1993 Fort Ord became one of the main World War II training bases and after the war was converted to a processing center for returning army personnel. This was called The 4th Replacement Training Center. Throughout the history for war defense, Fort Ord continued to serve as a training base and replacement center.  

The closure of Fort Ord in 1993 adversely affected the community as jobs became extinct, local businesses closed and city revenues decreased substantially.  

The Future of Marina
The many challenges of a somewhat long recovery period and redevelopment process have been identified and are being addressed in policies, planning and environmental reviews as new projects and programs take form. 

The vision and plan for the redevelopment of the City of Marina are of conscionable social and economic balance as the challenges are met and the unique opportunities presented. The community believes strongly that the emphasis be on replacement rather than growth and that two-thirds of the former Fort Ord be returned to its natural habitat.  

To provide world-class development services for the community, the Marina City Council established the Strategic Development Center to act as a focal point for new and planned development. The staff’s purpose is to work with proposed projects to assure maximum public benefits and also to meet the needs of private development interests.  

The overall development opportunities are expected to enhance the City of Marina’s overall economic base and cultural resources, increase housing diversity, provide for recreational facilities and create additional and unique retail experiences. Some of the anticipated goals include:
• 12,400 jobs.
• 4,400 housing units
• 4,300 million SF of commercial space
• 850 hotel rooms
• 10,000 new residents
• 1,400 acres of redevelopment
• $5.02 billion in future valuation.  

Among the City’s seven large-scale major development projects are:
• Airport Business Park
• Cypress Knolls
• Downtown Vitalization
• Golf Course Resort
• Marina Heights
• Marina Station
• University Villages 

A Collaborative Approach To Growth
The Mission of the Strategic Development Center revolves around three primary activities relating to the Center and strategic projects: General Administration, Project Management and Development review services including engineering, building and life safety development review services. Each of these activities will be provided directly to each development project as requested by the project manager and developer.  

Educational Resources
One of Marina’s natural assets is the number of highly educated work force including scientists, engineers and trained technicians. The Marina Technology Cluster provides expert business assistance to early stage marine science, agricultural technology and information technology companies that are developing and commercializing regional emerging technology such as the UC Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology (MBEST) Center.  

California State University at Monterey Bay, the Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy, comprised of an astronomical society offering a library, stargazing with its 14-inch telescope and classes in astronomy are a few additional resources. 

Located at CSUMB is the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. Established in December 1998, the Panetta Institute is a non-partisan center for the study of public policy with the purpose of helping our communities and our country meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Each year, the Leon Panetta Lecture Series brings national political leaders to the Monterey Peninsula to discuss important issues of the day.  

In January of 2003, the Institute launched a master’s degree program in public policy in concert with CSU Monterey Bay.  

Helping Monterey County specifically, the Institute also helps coordinate the Monterey County Reads program where hundreds of reading volunteers work with children in kindergarten through third grade.  

Marina Library
Because Marina’s tax base revenue was not sufficient to back the amount of bond funding needed to build a new library, the Marina City Council recently completed bond sale proceedings for a new $8 million library. 

The Marina Larger Library Committee has launched a new fundraising program to buy furniture and equipment for the new Marina Library. Former Marina mayor and Monterey County supervisor, Edith Johnsen, has made a very generous $10,000 contribution.  

The goal is to raise $750,000 to furnish the Library in time for the 2007 opening. Community Bank of Central California has pledged $5,000 over the next two years and issued a challenge for all banks and Marina businesses to make similar contributions and pledges. Other fundraising activities include recognition plaques for contributions between $500 and $10,000, name bricks at $250 and the annual book sale as well as requests for private and state grants when available. It is expected that approximately 80 percent of the funds will need to come from area individuals and businesses. 

Businesses and Shopping
In addition to the planned Airport Industrial Park and the Downtown Revitalization Project, there are plans for retail and mixed residential/commercial use development at the 429-acre University Village and 320-acre Marina Station.  

Riding ahead of the wave and fulfilling the futuristic vision that the City of Marina and The Strategic Development Center have for this area are the newly built live/work units called Monterey Meadows on Reservation Road.  

The 7 live/work units were the final phase of a 34 unit mixed use project completed in July 2004. The units are designed much like duplex units, each having its own utility meters. The commercial/business downstairs units are perfect for professional use with an easy, flowing floor plan including a grand style fireplace, a handicapped accessible half bath and a pantry kitchenette. In addition there are attached garages and guest parking. The upstairs units are one and two bedroom units ideal for the owner of the business of the commercial unit, or these can each be rented out individually.  

Traditional to the eye in terms of style and color, the architectural firm of Da Rosa and Associates of Burlingame created up-to-date design and amenities with the cosmopolitan flair of the older more established neighborhoods throughout the East Coast, parts of San Francisco and Europe.  

Centered in the courtyard of these units is a beautifully restored Victorian house. Built in 1905 in Salinas, the house was moved to Marina in the 1950’s and restructured somewhat. It is claimed that in the process of some rebuilding on the house, the traditional Victorian roof style was altered.  

For years the Victorian house was situated and occupied at the site behind a pizza restaurant owned and operated by the Pavia family. The 1905 Victorian home became known as the Pavia House. 

The Pavia House stirred into a new incarnation as the ‘Queen’ of Monterey Meadows in the spring of 2001. Needing to be physically moved to make way for construction, she was moved approximately 200 feet to the west side of the property. “Queen Pavia” sat patiently nearby anticipating her future and watching the construction of her new home site and its ancillary residences.  

Approximately 2 years later a brand new, structurally reinforced foundation was ready to receive her majesty. Under the diligent guidance of Dennis Ysunza, Construction Project Manager for Monterey Meadows, “Queen Pavia” was carefully moved and placed upon her new foundation. With the professional expertise of architect, Johnny Da Rosa, the reincarnated 1905 home once again quietly reflects the ambiance of a Victorian Lady. A newer, fresher interior of the Pavia House was created from the studs up.  

Gracefully greeting guests stands a majestic Coast Live Oak Tree (about 150-200 years old) that was lovingly preserved with the professional expertise of I.S.A. Certified Arborist, Walter Fuji, of Ralph Osterling Consultants, Inc. from San Mateo.  

Beyond the local neighborhood shopping is Seaside (only 4 miles south) with strip malls and auto dealerships including Porsche, Lexus and Jaguar. A few more miles south is Monterey and the regional Del Monte Shopping Center, Fisherman’s Warf, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium and endless shops and restaurants.  

Outdoor Enthusiasts
Marina State Beach offers silky golden sand and a handicap accessible boardwalk. Each year a Festival of the Winds takes place here. 

Locke-Paddon Wetlands Park is one of only a few original wetland wildlife preserves in North America.  

Over 100 species of birds can be seen at the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge. The Monterey Bay Bird Festival takes place each year at various locations. Here, hikers can discover an isolated beach where the river meets the ocean. 

The Bureau of Land Management has designated over 15,000 acres (50 miles of trails) of land for mountain biking and horseback riding. Each year 3,000 children are hosted by an educational outreach program.  

For horse enthusiasts, there are horse boarding facilities. In association with Easter Seals, STAR Riders give disabled children and adults therapeutic horse-riding events assisted by trained volunteers.  

Nearby in Pacific Grove is the Asilomar State Beach comprised of a narrow one-mile strip of sandy beach and rocky coves. A ¾ mile coast-walking trail is available to pedestrians as well as a bicycle riding paved road near the trail.
Meaning “a refuge by the sea”, Asilomar is part of the Pacific Grove Fish Garden Refuge and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.  

Nearby the Marina/Fort Ord area are kayaking in Monterey Bay, hiking and camping in the 1006 acre Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.  

Golfing
Monterey County was voted the #1 golfing destination world-wide, according to the September 2000 issue of Golf Digest. 

Besides the well known famous golf courses at Pebble Beach and around, there is the Bayonet/Blackhorse Golf Course in Seaside 

The SDC plans include development of an 18-hole world-class golf course and resort hotel.  

Medical
The Community Hospital of Monterey County is only a short drive away. CHOMP, acknowledged for its cancer treatment and Salinas Memorial Hospital, known for its heart treatment center, are both considered outstanding treatment centers and excellent contributions to the Monterey County.  

Housing
An integral aspect of the Strategic Development Center’s vision for breathing new life into the City of Marina and Fort Ord area are the following proposed projects. 

Designed to be a premiere mixed use community is the University Village. This project encompasses 420 acres of former Fort Ord that lies within the City of Marina. The property forms a southern border for the City of Marina with the City of Seaside. The Specific Plan area is bounded on the west by Highway 1, to the south and east by CSU Monterey Bay and links to the rest of the City of Marina to the north and east. Of the planned 3 stages, the first phase consists mainly of retail and some residential. This is expected to begin in the spring of 2006.  

A 248-acre site in the northern portion of the former Fort Ord, the Marina Heights proposed project would remove 828 abandoned housing units and be replaced with 1,050 residential units consisting of townhouses, cottages and single-family residential housing units. Also planned are 35.63 acres of parks, greenbelts and open space.  

Within the northern limits of the City of Marina is the 320-acre “Armstrong Ranch”. Development plans will include 1,216 residential units including: Apartments, row-house units, cottages, small single-family units and single-family units. In addition, there are planned mixed-use commercial and residential units as well as parks and playgrounds. This project is called Marina Station 

The proposed Cypress Knolls project is a 772-unit senior and 116-unit affordable multi-family housing facility located on approximately 190 acres formerly known as Lower Patton Park area. The new single-family homes will be available to adults 55 and over. Cypress Knolls homes are expected to take the place of 460 older, flat-roofed military duplexes. At the center of the property will be a clubhouse including an indoor swimming pool, fitness and wellness center, a creative arts center and outdoor tennis courts. A recreation trail and shuttle system will also be a part of this community. 

Not specifically overseen by the Strategic Development Center, but upcoming in 2006 as well is Locke-Paddon Point, an enclave of 15 2-story handsome traditional-style homes ranging approximately 1,500 – 1,700 square feet.

Completed in 2003 are the 27 residential homes at Monterey Meadows. This project was designed by DaRosa & Associates, built by Trans Century Properties, and overseen by Project Manager, Dennis Ysunza. These are beautiful 2-story homes on a private street with a greenbelt park in the middle and gracefully sculpted cypress trees along the perimeter.  

As your local resident and Number1Expert on this area, I look forward to helping you acquire a home in this newly developed area, or helping you sell your property.  

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