Economic Development
As part of the City of Monterey’s communications team, I was proud to document and celebrate the revitalization of Downtown Old Monterey and develop buy local campaigns for each business district. Thanks to these efforts, I’ve made great relationships with our business leaders.
Our historic downtown core is one of my favorite places to hang out in the morning for craft coffee and for cocktails or draft beer with my friends or visitors. We must maintain its small town and historic charm, with hidden adobe gardens, which continues to attract small businesses and conferences. We have excellent boutique shopping and restaurants from every cuisine. There’s room for additional housing, close to public transportation, services and jobs.
I want to see North Fremont and Lighthouse Districts continue to see revitalization. Let’s get the North Fremont Bike Path connected to the FORTAG Trail and Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Let’s build colorful mixed use buildings with boutique shops below and housing above. These districts are ready for some more attention and investment.
The City of Monterey completed an excellent project to update its waterfront parking and that section of the Recreation Trail. Let’s continue to keep our waterfront, from colorful Old Fishermans Wharf to classic Cannery Row, maintained, beautiful and world-class for visitors and residents alike. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of land in the world with hospitable businesses on each side.
As an Architectural Review Commissioner, I know how to encourage and approve projects that fit the unique look and feel of our business districts, each of which have their own special character.
I want to see our Municipal Wharf II revitalized. Let’s protect our fishing heritage and encourage local fish markets to circle the wharf. We can make the pathway more pedestrian friendly. I’d like to see interpretive signage with images from the City archives that educate us about fishing history and the current active fisheries in Monterey Bay. One of my favorite quintessential sights is watching fishermen unload their daily catch on the Wharf. These are images that we need to maintain for generations, just as they have for centuries. And we can benefit from sustainable, nutritious, fresh, local fish, instead of factory-farmed seafood from major corporations. I have worked with the fishing community my whole career to promote their important industry, and also, our heritage.
