Monterey discusses options for former Fort Ord property

The former Fort Ord property in Monterey is all rolling hills and trees. Like other cities who share a piece of the land, Monterey is looking to see how they can build it back up.

The city council has already started drafting up a request for proposals. This would give developers the chance to pitch their ideas for the 125 acre lot, just north of Ryan Ranch.

“We contracted an economic feasibility study to see what kind of mix of uses could work best there, from a market standpoint. Could affordable housing potentially be a use there?” said Elizabeth Caracker, Housing and Community Development Manager for the City of Monterey.

Caracker said 65-acre feet of water is allocated to the land and admitted this could be one of the last pieces of developable land within city limits.

Talk of using the space for housing is what some people found most concerning. “More houses would mean more people. More people would mean more water, trash, cars, transportation,” said Monterey resident, Cora Pewthers.

“Traffic would be terrible, here. We’re already getting our mini rush hour around 4 p.m. and 10 years ago we didn’t have that,” said Monterey resident, Charles Byron.

Some said they are open to other ideas. “If it’s the last place to develop, I’d want a park,” said Pewthers.

Caracker said Monterey plans to start accepting proposals from developers in the Summer.