Shops @ The Dunes

I also agree that we do not need any fast food places although something like a Five Guys or Red Robin would be nice. A good, quality burger requires going to Monterey or Salinas which can be a hassle. Quite honestly we don't even really need another Starbucks since we already have one in town and one inside Target. I'd rather have a Jamba Juice. I am very excited about getting a Chipotle, a pizza place, and a teriyaki bowl place. I would love to see Marina get more nice, sit down restaurants as well. A cool pub style restaurant would attract a lot of young people too. I do disagree with those who want a Trader Joes. I LOVE Trader Joes but every one I've ever been to (even out of state locations) have a nightmare of a parking lot. That would add too much congestion I think. But if there was space to fit a small grocery store I'd be all for it.

Please no more fast food-- no McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, etc. Let's have something that isn't found elsewhere on the peninsula. A Sprouts, perhaps? There are no health food stores in Marina, Salinas or Seaside. I'll bet people would gladly come from all 3 places to shop at a Sprouts- type store.

Jim, I think a supermarket would best be built on the current location of Water City Sports and Roller Hockey on Second Street. That would make it immediately adjacent to the University Village Apartments and closer to CSUMB. That site would be more easily accessible and it could reduce the likelihood of traffic congestion. It would be nice if either of those buildings could be developed into something similar to Oxbow Public Market in Napa. The existing structure could perhaps be partially preserved for those who still have fond memories of those places. Either that, or the new structure could take some inspiration from what was once there. I very much agree that this development should be something that stands out. This portion of old Fort Ord is slowing shaping up quite nicely and it can become a prime northern gateway to the Monterey area. As for suggestions for food establishments, has anyone approached the owners of Dametra Fresh Mediterranean at Del Monte Center? I'd consider them to be a very welcome addition.

I agree that the need for food establishments are extremely necessary. However, lets not turn this great real estate into a generic shopping center like the ones you see in every town. Many of us are tired of the same old franchises. We would love to see some new mom and pop restaurants opening up in that area. Perhaps a variety of ethnic cuisines such as Thai, Indian or Ethiopian. Make this place stand out from all the others. There are enough McDonald's and Burger Kings elsewhere. Additionally, use one of those buildings for a Trader Joes or a Safeway. There are a lot of homes being built in the area - the residents will obviously have to do some grocery shopping.

I would love to see non chain restaurants... Let the local businesses have these spaces! Let's grow this community.

I completely agree with your comment. What is so special about this place if our buildings aren't good to look at. We definitely need more personality brought to this area. Also, I request that there are non corporate businesses brought into this area. It would be awesome to see local businesses. Maybe another acme or Carmel valley roasters coffee shop instead of a Starbucks. Seriously, there is a Starbucks in the student center and in Target. Do we really need another Starbucks?

Hans, I appreciate your feedback. I would be happy to meet with you and go over the plan, should you have the time. I can be reached at [email protected]. Thankyou

Scott, I'd like to see more of the detail along Second Avenue for this plan along with some street-view elevations. This is going to be the main route by which students at CSUMB and residents of The Dunes home community will make their way to these shops by foot or (most likely) by bike. It's hard to assess scale with your map. I think you could accommodate more pedestrian and bike traffic to the shops by widening the walk paths more. The eastern walkway that bisects the parking lot and then splits across the two drive-throughs give me a little concern for pedestrian and cyclist traffic. Hopefully you can address these matters during the next city council meeting. If the plans have not been set in stone, I think a few adjustments might persuade the council that you've made a reasonable compromise to (a) fulfill the preferences of your tenants, (b) encourage and accommodate access to these shops by foot or bike, and (c) design an area that looks great from all streets. Living or working by Monterey Bay encourages healthy lifestyles just by the weather and I think the future residents of The Dunes would like this area to develop into something that's much better than a run-of-the-mill off-the-highway retail center. I think you would be granted an exception to the planning guidelines if you can make this area a successful showcase of thoughtful design.

Karyn I appreciate your comments. You may not be aware of the restrictions on the property in which I must work around. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please give me a call and I would be happy to meet and walk you through them. I can be reached at 831-886-7801. Thank you, Scott Negri

I have decided not to sign this petition. After talking with many people in the community, I realize now that while FOOD is a good idea, this is a bad design. Marina has spent a LOT of money getting clear on how to build on this very valuable property, like avoiding the strip mall concept, which this basically is, and having buildings that are fine architecture, not run-of-the-mill, rectangular stuff you would find on any freeway exit. There is excitement about building something very special, a destination that distinguishes us, and a true university town with great places to hang out. Food soon is very important, but there are other options in the works that can fill the gap. This development would encourage more car congestion, walking through big parking lots to get anywhere. The seating areas are primarily next to cars idling in the drivethroughs, and the buildings are just big rectangles, nothing special to look at -- something you'd stop at on the way to Monterey, but not really stop to stay. In the long run, I think that this will actually hurt our income potential because it is industrial-looking, won't lend itself well to expansion and integration into a higher-end development, and is not very safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. I am holding out for a great design, along with great food... hopefully a little more high-end options can be included, too.

Melody, I have stayed away from leasing to and "fast food" users. There is no McDonalds in the project. I have focused on casual quick service, whereby you can get a meal, the way you want it prepared (which can be healthy or not depending on what you order). This project will help attract the "sit down" restaurants which are slated to go around the movie theater. These sit down restaurants need to see other food users being successful before they will come Marina. Hope that answers your question/comment

I really just want some more choices and am not interested in fast food as we have those which I avoid. We need some sit down restaurants, family friendly as Marina is a bedroom community. I commute to Santa Cruz 5 days a week and while I don't want to see Marina with a Mission Street; I do want some decent restaurants closeby.

Scott, I don't have any data to dispute your claim of 70%, but the large communities planned to the East and South of The Dunes will likely skew any current resident-vs-non-resident ratio in the coming years. I believe it would be to the benefit of these communities (and certainly to the vendors' benefit) to plan for that shift which would have the potential to increase pedestrian and bike traffic (assuming that residents will find it easy to walk or ride to these shops). Or, perhaps the council should concede that this particular development will serve primarily the car-based traffic around the shops and that future retail developments (closer to 8th St) will cater to the local communities and business park. The website did not seem to have much information on the details beyond the CG elevation images. Hopefully I will learn more at the next council meeting.

I have tried to make the project as pedestrian and bike friendly as possible. The reality is, about 70% of the shoppers of the Dunes Shopping Center are not Marina residents. Marina is benefiting from those 70% spending their money in Marina and they come by car. The majority of the VA/DoD patients/employees/volunteers will also come by car, and the same for the Theater. So I have tried to set up the center to accommodate everyone. Please take a look at the plan and notice the bike racks, walkways, large patios etc. Hopefully this will help to alleviate your concern. More information can be found @ sknproperties.com

Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, I am restricted from Target (as they have groceries) and cannot put a Trader Joe's in my project. In n Out is under construction in Seaside, but I hope the quality of restaurants I am trying to bring will appeal to your palette! I have contacted Jamba Juice, but they have passed....for now.

Dusan, you are correct. I did not know about the donating part of the petition. No one has to donate to vote. This is my first petition and I apologize for the confusion.

The drive through's are an important part of the project. If the drive throughs were taken away, Starbucks goes away as they will not come to this site without a drive through. Fine you may say, but without Starbucks, there is no Chipotle. Without Chipotle, there is no Blaze Pizza, Deli Delicious, Teriyaki Madness or Menchies Yogurt, which means there is no project. It is just like Target across the street. The developer had to make the Target deal, to get REI, Kolh's, Best Buy etc etc in The Dunes, which now makes up 41% of the total sales tax revenue for the City of Marina. My project will generate between $290,000 - $377,000 of additional sales tax revenue for the City of Marina, just off my project alone, and create over 300 new jobs! I don't know how the surrounding cities are or can stop this project, it is up to the Marina City Council which will vote to approve/deny on October 20. Thank you for your input.

Scott, you as a "Developer of Shops @ The Dunesas" need to clarify this petition; you want "drive thru". We all know that Marina City "WANTS" resturants, but no drive thru. Let people understand that Marina City wants developement, too!!! It's surrounding cities DO NOT want Marina to be developed!!!!!!!!

We are new residents of East Garrison and ImJim is part of our daily commute. Marina has done a wonderful job planning this new area, modern, clean, progressive, and convenient. Though understandably the mom and pops in old Marina would rather have a monopoly on eatery's the city needs to support all businesses equally. Change is hard, but competition is healthy. The Dunes area should have equal footing for shops, restaurants, and other venues. Once the theater opens as an anchor venue we think Old Marina businesses will realize it is easy to travel down toward Monterey for a more favorable experience. Our belief is that this change will happen sooner or later, why not be ahead of the curve and move forward and capture more businesses inside Marina than push them away. East Garrison town center is not far away, this pre-approved town center will the same effect on Marina, but will be outside Marina. That will hurt the City of Marina more so by taking tax dollars out of Marina. Some critical economic points to consider before digging heels in.

Scott, I think that your choice of the site to host this petition was less than perfect: it pushes interested parties to donate right after signing and may be confusing for people.