1 / 15

Fort Ord and the Monterey Downs

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.

valmai
Download Presentation

Fort Ord and the Monterey Downs

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Fort Ord and the Monterey Downs Mallory Karch

  2. 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

  3. The Downs • Proposed development: hotels, office park, housing, horse track and sports arena • ~ 550 acres • Would be on Fort Ord Open Space • Parker Flats

  4. Should the Monterey Downs be developed on Fort Ord Open Space?

  5. 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

  6. Policy Context • Water use allocation • Development of natural areas • Zoning and growth boundaries • Community education

  7. 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

  8. Stakeholder Analysis • Those opposedvalue: • 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

  9. 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

  10. Policy Options • 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

More Related