Council authorizes bids to reconfigure Central, Grand and Fountain intersections ahead of new hotel opening

Pacific Grove city staff presented final plans June 4 to reconfigure the Central–Fountain intersection and improve pedestrian crossings on Grand Avenue, and the City Council authorized staff to advertise the work for construction bids.

Public Works staff said the changes respond to conditions of approval for the Kimpton Hotel and include a new four‑way stop at Fountain and Central, sidewalk connections around existing traffic islands, bulb‑outs to shorten crossing distances at Grand Avenue near Jewell Park and the museum, and replacement of some curb ramps. The developer will pay a portion of engineering and curb-ramp construction costs; the city intends to repave the corridor so the work is not piecemeal.

Staff said the developer will provide a credit (about $13,000) toward paving and will construct sidewalks around the hotel; the city plans to use regional Surface Transportation Program funds to help cover paving and safety work. Public Works Director Dan Goh said the project team hopes to bid the work this summer and to begin construction in August or September after the peak event period.

Public commenters urged that new bulb‑outs include drainage to avoid standing water and asked for clarity on project cost; staff said bids will define final costs, that the city has an initial capital allocation ($270,000 previously) and that additional regional funds may be applied. Staff said they have coordinated with library, museum and farmers‑market stakeholders to minimize impacts during construction and to plan paving scheduling to avoid market days when possible.

The council approved authorization to issue a call for bids and to proceed with the plan set as presented.