10/9/07

TO:  Mayor Della Sala
CC:  Council Members Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, and Sollecito, Planner Rick Marvin
FR:  Bob Evans
RE:  Catellus Property

The 1939 General Plan for Monterey envisioned a Window on the Bay extending from Figueroa to Park.  You now have the ability to make that vision a reality.  Doing so will provide an asset that few cities in California can claim (a portion of which can be seen in photos 1 and 2 on the right).

I urge that you remove the "Scout house," the kayak building and storage, and the boat storage area from Catellus East at the earliest possible date (all of the buildings in photo 1). The temporary storage area that has decorated Catellus East for some months should also be removed (a portion is visible on the right in photo 2).  Catellus East is a prime viewing area when entering or leaving the City and is not the place to store stuff.

What of the current activities that take place on Catellus East and the adjacent State Beach?

Large boat storage should be relocated to the area behind the train station on Catellus West (see photos 3 and 4 of the area proposed).  Photo 5 shows how the area might look once the boats are in place.

Beach launched boat storage and kayak storage should be relocated to the area between the existing public restroom and the shore end of wharf 2 (see photos 6 and 7).  Kayaks and small shore launched boats can be stored in racks like those shown in photos 8 and 9 inside an attractive and secure fenced area at the foot of the wharf.  Some years ago there was a proposal to expand the wharf toward the east (in the direction of the shadow of the railing in photo 10).  This might be done now to provide ample room for kayak and small boat storage.  Larger beach launched boats on sand dollies can be accommodated as shown in photo 11.

The public restroom at the foot of wharf 2 (see photos 10 and 2 has been a thorn in the side of the City Manager for a number years.  Relocating kayak and small boat storage presents an opportunity to remove and replace that structure with larger more modern public restrooms coupled with an office for kayak rentals.  The new structure should be raised above the current level to the level of the wharf to reduce the amount of sand that reaches the facility.  A wide ramp from the new level to the beach will provide handicap access and easy access to and from the beach for boat and kayak users.

Commercial beach parties and other commercial beach related activities should be handled as they are at Asilomar beach and various parks around the area.  Equipment and supplies are be delivered by truck.  Nothing is stored on site.  When the boat-kayak-public restroom area is designed, a loading zone adjacent to the beach and near the wharf should be included to accommodate this activity and keep the trucks off of the recreation trail and beach.

I am sure that our capable planning and engineering staffs can improve on these suggestions while providing attractive and secure boat storage and kayak rental area without having them block the magnificent view corridor of the Window on the Bay.