Parking lot at Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf under construction

The highly anticipated construction of the Monterey Old Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront parking lot began this week, leaving only half of it open for parking. As more visitors arrive for the holidays, it may be tight squeeze.

The City of Monterey has been working on a new design for the outdated lot for several years. Construction crews will repave and reconfigure the lot to improve accessibility.

Business owners on the wharf said having less parking during construction will be worth it, long term. “It’ll be an enhancement that will make it a lot more friendlier and easier for people to move around in the lot,” said owner of Old Fisherman’s Grotto, Chris Shake.

Shake sid he has heard customers complain of the confusing lot for years and is glad to see it finally being renovated. “There was just a little confusion after they parked their car. T hey didn’t know which way to walk to get to the wharf because of some of the barriers,” said Shake.

The new lot will have walkways and crosswalks to make the flow of walking traffic more clear. Increasing safety for both pedestrians and drivers is the main goal for, what the city said is, Monterey’s biggest and most popular parking lot.

Even with half of the lot blocked off, business owners are still optimistic that visitors will come stroll the wharf this holiday season. “We’re all working together to try to make the experience a lot easier for people during the course of construction. We feel that people will find their way down here, one way or another,” said Shake.

The city plans to wrap up construction, at the site, in March of 2019. Until then, they recommend parking in the Marina and Depot lots or downtown.