Groundbreaking brings new life to Monterey

Business owners in downtown Monterey are happy to hear that construction is finally starting at 459 Alvarado St.

They said they’ve been past the empty lot so many times wondering when a new building would be built. The building along with 24 other businesses burned down during the start of the recession in 2007 from a restaurant fire.

Executive Director of the Old Monterey Business Association, Rick Johnson says, “we’re at a point where we are really seeing a renaissance of old Monterey.”

Community members even painted murals on the side walls of the open lot to bring light to a dim situation.

Susan Anderson owned the store right next door to the building that burned and lost everything. She eventually re-opened her business across the street from the open lot.

“It will be fabulous to have this new building as soon as it’s ready, the businesses surrounding will be better off,” Anderson said.

The new building will have 21 apartments built above the retail spaces on the first floor. There will be parking between the two buildings with a lane connecting Alvarado and Tyler Street.

The spaces have not been leased out. The project is said to cost about $5 million and is estimated to take no more than 24 months to be completed.