Monterey Residents Just Say “NO” to Proposed ‘Public Services Center’
Monterey, CA, August 28, 2002 – Area residents gave a resounding ‘thumbs down’ to the City’s proposed 57,624 square foot Civic Center addition in response to a recent survey conducted by the Old Town Neighborhood Association.
The one page survey is the first effort to measure public sentiment towards the project, which, at $16 million, would be the most expensive civic undertaking in Monterey’s history. It was distributed door to door to 1000 households in Old Town, the area adjacent to the proposed site, which is bounded by Madison and Van Buren Streets, current city offices and the Vazquez Adobe. Of some 120 returns to date, 78% expressed opposition to the project with 15% in support while 7% remained undecided.
Key reasons those opposed cited included
• loss of parkingThose expressing support listed as positives
• loss of trees including 3 large mature Monterey Cypress and 1 large mature Coastal Live Oak
• the $16 million cost and
• negative impact on the historic area around Colton Hall, site of the 1850 California constitutional convention
• consolidating offices for increased efficiency andIn answer to other questions in the survey, 65% felt citizens should be given the opportunity to vote on the project while over half of the returns requested more information. The proposed building would require variances to the City's zoning, setback, trees, height and parking ordinances.
• providing more working space for City employees
The survey, spearheaded by Old Town resident Shirmaine Jones in consultation with the OTNA Board of Directors, described the project in terms presented in the City’s most recent public filings.
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