Pacific Grove Council approves funding and contract to reconfigure Central, Grand and Fountain intersections

Pacific Grove City Council on Sept. 3 voted to bring forward and approve an ordinance amendment and related agreements to fund and construct intersection and roadway improvements at Central Avenue, Grand Avenue and Fountain Avenue.

The project, presented by staff member Dan Goh, will reconfigure the Central–Fountain intersection as a four‑way stop, add a bulb‑out at the Grand/Central corner, build about 1,650 square feet of new sidewalk, new ADA ramps and overlay roughly 26,000 square feet of roadway. Goh said the existing pavement condition index on Central “was in the teens” and the work aims to address rapidly failing pavement in front of the library.

The council adopted the ordinance amendment to accept $315,811 in Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding administered by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC). The council also accepted a payment from the Kimpton Hotel developers of $86,976 “per condition 11 of the architectural use permit,” and authorized a contract with Monterey Peninsula Engineering for the Central–Grand–Fountain Street Improvement Project, with contingency funding. Staff said the city had previously set an initial $270,000 budget and identified Measure X street rehabilitation funds to cover a remaining funding gap.

Why it matters: the intersections near the library and new hotel are currently “a sea of asphalt” and confusing for drivers and pedestrians, staff said. The design replaces a problematic raised crosswalk scheme with a bulb‑out intended to shorten pedestrian crossings and slow vehicle speeds, while coordinating with special‑event closures such as the farmers market.

Council discussion focused on construction timing, impacts to the Monday farmers market and archaeological and tribal monitoring. Staff said they expect to begin construction activity paperwork and submittals immediately and aimed for physical work to start around Oct. 1, with a 70‑day contract period described in the specifications (staff characterized that timeline as extending into December but said the contractor may finish sooner). Goh confirmed that archaeological and tribal monitors will be present for any excavation into subsoil and that the work will avoid deep subsurface disturbance where possible.

The motion as presented to council included three distinct elements: (1) introduction and first reading of an ordinance to amend the city’s operating and capital projects budget to accept the RSTP funds; (2) acceptance of the developer payment of $86,976; and (3) authorization to execute a construction agreement with Monterey Peninsula Engineering for the project (contract amount and contingency figures were discussed during the meeting and are recorded in the staff report and agenda packet).

Councilmembers expressed broad support for the project. Councilmember Garfield said the reconfiguration was “a welcome change” after decades of a confusing intersection, and asked staff to coordinate the paving schedule with the farmers market. Staff indicated minimal disruption to market operations is anticipated, with possible temporary shifts in vendor placement or work scheduling to avoid peak market hours.

Staff said unused contingency or Measure X funds would return to the street rehabilitation program. The council approved the ordinance and recommended items by roll call; staff will prepare the contract and collect certificates of insurance before returning with a finalized agreement for execution.

The council also noted that because Central Avenue is in the coastal zone, the project has required coastal permitting and that any aesthetic, lighting or fencing modifications tied to the project would be handled through the city’s standard permit processes.