Marina’s Handcar Tours to Close
Handcar Tours in Marina has announced it will close at the end of the month as the company’s lease will be terminated by the Transportation Agency of Monterey County to make way for the SURF Busway Project.
It’s sad news for the small family company and fans of the handcars.
“We thought we would be here at least another year or two, and we’re going to be out of business,” Mason Clark, whose family started the business told KSBW in it’s story posted online. “We have nowhere to go. Everything you see out here will be destroyed.”
The SURF Busway Project, according to MST’s website, focuses on improving access between Marina, Sand City and Seaside. The biggest piece of it is a 5-mile road for buses only that will “run parallel to Highway 1 next to the old rail lines from Marina to Sand City and Seaside.” It will also include:
• One mile of new multi-use trail extensions from Beach Range Road in Marina and Sand City with improved access to the Fort Ord Dunes State Park.
• A new multimodal mobility hub in former Fort Ord with public parking with EV charging, and other amenities, including a bicycle repair station.
• New transit stops serving Marina, Sand City and Seaside.
• Traffic signal upgrades in Marina, Sand City and Seaside.
I have looked up what a “multimodal mobility hub” is. Apparently, they are modeled after “interchange” hubs that exist in the United Kingdom and Europe. These are railway stations with places to park your car or bicycle, have good walking access and will also have bus stops nearby as well as taxi stations. So here, it will look like a bus stop with EV parking, bike racks and a spot for Uber and Lyft to pick up and drop off.
According to MST’s website, it has participated in more than 140 community meetings regarding the project and while it mentions various topics of feedback, there is a noticeable lack of mention of support for the dedicated bus lane. It does mention general community support for a rail service and promises to protect the rail corridor and the tracks for a future rail line.
The buzz online, on community Facebook pages such as “What’s Going on In Marina,” seems to be mostly against the idea, while also in support of a rail line service. A rail line, however, would be a major expense. A 2018 TAMC rail feasibility study estimated it would cost between $120 million to $300 million for a regional railway project.
Toyota Motor Corporation Operating Officer Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa and Joby Aviation’s Founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt at Toyota’s North American regional headquarters in Plano, Texas.
Joby Flying High
In other business news, Toyota has agreed to invest an additional $500 million into Joby Aviation. The company also recently rolled its third aircraft off its pilot production line in Marina. Toyota had already invested $349 million into Joby and it’s staff and engineers are working with Joby’s staff and engineers.
Imjin Parkway Update
PG&E has finally begun work. There was a traffic stoppage on Imjin near Abrams Drive on Saturday for about 15 minutes while crews ran new overhead lines across the roadway. Preston Drive is still expected to be closed until late October.
Planning Meeting Nixed
The Oct. 10 Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15, a Tuesday. An agenda for that meeting is due by Saturday, Oct, 12, at 5 p.m.
On the Calendar
The Marina Rotary Foundation will be holding a free car show “Cars in the Park” this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vince DiMaggio Park, 3200 Del Monte Blvd. Steve Mast and Northern California Corvettes will be presenting it.
HOMES LISTED
Five homes have hit the market in the past week:
• First is 2985 Bonte Drive. This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home has 1,768 SF and sits on a 6,196 SF lot. It’s listed for $999,000.
• At 162 Pacific Ct. is this 3-bed, 2.5-bath home with 1,950 SF of space and a 7,258 SF lot. It is listed for $1,099,500.
• 3012 Ellen Ct. is a 6-bedroom, 4-bathroom home with 2,050 SF on a 7,268 SF lot; it’s listed for $1,195,000.
• 2605 Sandy Clay Ln is the highest priced of the group, listed at $1,250,000. It’s a 3-bed, 2.5-bath home with 2,280 SF on a 3,600 SF lot.
Call me at (831) 869-2484 if you’d like to see any of these homes or would like to list your home!
POLICE REPORTS
Sept. 29
• An arrest was made on Cypress Avenue for kidnapping and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
• An arrest made on Reservation Road for possession of narcotics.
Sept. 30
• A 56-year-old man was charged with DUI on Del Monte Boulevard.
Oct. 1
• A DUI arrest, along with a charge of driving on a suspended license, at the intersection of Del Monte and Palm.
• A man was arrested for arson after allegedly starting the fire to cover up a theft. Police and fire responded to 400 Milray Court where a suspicious fire had started and a tenant was missing cash out of his room. The money was found and returned and the suspect booked and bail set at $15,000.
Oct. 2
• A 30-year-old woman was charged with burglary at a 10th Street residence or business. She was also wanted on five other warrants from another jurisdiction.
• A 22-year-old woman was charged with DUI on Ocean Terrace.
• A 45-year-old woman was arrested on warrants while on Beach Road.
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This newsletter was written by Jon Chown of Renee Mello & Associates, 44 Brennan St. Watsonville CA 95076. (831) 869-2484. DRE#02040730.