Fort Ord and the Monterey Downs

Mallory Karch

Background

• Fort Ord was a military base for 77 years• U.S. Government purchased 15,000 acres in

1917 – in 1940 increased their acreage to 28,000– Closed in 1991

• Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) was created to decide land reuse

The Downs

• Proposed development: hotels, office park, housing, horse track and sports arena

• ~ 550 acres• Would be on Fort Ord Open Space – Parker Flats

Should the Monterey Downs be developed on Fort Ord Open

Space?

Primary Considerations

• Limits access to monument• Loss of 30,000-50,000 Coast Live Oaks• Water allocation• Could create at least 3,000 jobs• Would benefit the local economy

Policy Context

• Water use allocation• Development of natural

areas• Zoning and growth

boundaries• Community education

Key Decision Makers

• FORA• Monterey County• Seaside City Council• Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) • Marina Coast Water District (MCWD)• Dave Potter– Monterey County 5th District Supervisor

• Fort Ord Access Alliance– Open Space Initiative

Stakeholder Analysis• Those opposed value:– Conserving the natural environment and species– Using the natural area for economic benefit– Recreational activities

• Those in favor value:—Economic benefits to the local community—Gambling and horse racing—Job opportunities—Direct monetary benefits

• Fact: 45,000-50,000 visitors per year come specifically for the natural environment of Fort Ord– Assumed that the Downs will draw away from the

area’s “eco-tourism”

• Fact: Monterey Downs project will create about 3,000 jobs- Assumed the development will positively affect the local community's economy

Policy Options 1. Prohibit development and make Parker Flats part of monument

2. Allow the Downs to be developed as planned

3. Develop the Downs on blighted areas

Policy Option Community Acceptance Equity

Prohibit the development on land directly adjacent to national monument and recognize Parker Flats as part of the monument

Pros: Majority of community would be satisfiedCons: Those hoping for job opportunity and boost to economy would be disappointed

Cons: Rejects the development as well as discounts the possible economic benefits

Allow the Monterey Downs to be developed as currently planned

Pros: Excitement due to job opportunitiesCons: Much of the local community would be outraged

Cons: Ignores community members’ outcry and efforts against the development

Monterey Downs can be built if it is developed on area currently considered to be blight

Pros: Those hoping for jobs will be satisfied, access to the monument and recreation will not be affectedCons: Those strongly opposed to the “unsavory” activities of the Downs would still be unsatisfied

Pros: Community members still have the Fort Ord open space for recreation and access to the monument will not be limited, developers would be satisfied because they can still develop

Recommendation

• Prohibit development of the Downs and make Parker Flats part of Fort Ord National Monument– Prioritized environmental well-being and assumption

that the Downs will decrease eco-tourism and students coming to CSUMB

• Limitations: EIR has not yet been released• Have not yet conducted second stakeholder

interview

• Allowing the Downs to be developed on blight would bring economic benefit as well and be most equitable

• Possible consequence could be Boudreau looking for another more intrusive area (not blight) to develop

• Not developing the Downs would maintain the area’s cultural and ecological integrity

Conclusion

• The Downs could economically boost local economy– No guarantee– Horse racing is a past time

• Utilizing the natural area can also bring in revenue– Publicizing monument