New Eco-Resort coming to Sand City after 25 years of planning

After 25 years of planning, the Monterey Bay Shores Eco-Resort is coming to Sand City.

The mixed-use resort will celebrate the existing historic dunes and natural marine environment. Officials say they will also aim to improve and restore the ecosystem functionality, biodiversity, and community. Not only is it the first hotel of it’s kind in the area, it’s also the very first hotel for Sand City.

The resort will be built into the Sand Dunes and not visible from Highway 1. It will have more than 360 units for hotel guests and residential condominiums.

During construction developers say the resort will bring 250 temporary jobs, and upon completion an additional 250 jobs to the area. Sand City Administrator Todd Bodem says that is just scratching the surface of the benefits, “We’re going to have 250 new jobs and it’s going to be a multiplier effect. For every dollar they spend that money gets spent elsewhere, it’s also going to create transient occupancy tax for the city, revenue for the city to do other things in the community because our city is really going through a transition and it’s becoming more vibrant and this will be a nice catalyst to take sand city to the next level.”

Economic value is not the only priority, developer Dr. Ed Ghandour says so is the environment, “You’re going to experience a resort that dedicates restoration of the dunes, restoration of the habitat and protection of endangered species. Unlike most developments we let the land inform the design as opposed to come in with a design and basically integrate the site to what the architects want.”

City officials say, “in addition to the resort facilities and amenities, the project includes extensive restoration of a former sand mining site. The majority of the 40 acre site will be dedicated to restoration and preservation of coastal resources, including maintenance of habitat for protected species. The project will provide over $1 million for habitat preservation and protection over the next decade to protect the snowy plover, Smith Blue Butterfly, and the Spine flower.”

There will be places for the public to have beach access along with access to the habitats that are developed. Dr. Ghandour says there will also be an additional 45 parking spaces for public use.

Mayor Mary Ann Carbone says she thinks this resort will make Sand City an even more desirable place to visit,”I feel that it’s going to pull people from all over the world it’s going to be a great destination and experience.”

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on February 22nd at 2220 California Avenue, Sand City at 2:00pm.

Officials expect the project to take up to three years before it is completed.