in-person sessions
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025
About the Event
The community input sessions are designed to gather feedback from Marina residents on how to allocate a $3 million investment to improve public access, facilities, recreational opportunities, and restoration projects within the City of Marina.
The $3 million investment is provided by the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project’s Coast Development Fund. This funding will be used to implement the projects identified through the community engagement process.
More about the event
These events give residents a chance to share what matters most to them so the money is spent on projects that reflect the community’s priorities.
Hosted by EnviroGage, a community engagement consultant, that will help ensure all voices are heard and everyone has a fair chance to participate.
What Does Marina Need…
- Safer playgrounds?
- A community center?
- Easier beach access for community members with diverse abilities?
- Community gardens?
- More bike lanes and walking trails?
- Protected spaces for nature?
What to Expect:
- Friendly and interactive discussions where your ideas will be heard.
- A chance to work with other residents to prioritize projects that benefit everyone in Marina.
- Neutral facilitators to ensure fairness.
Community Input Sessions Include:
- Free refreshments in a family & kid-friendly space.
- Translation services available upon request in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
- Accessible venues and an option to participate online.
Can't Attend? Share Your Input Online
If you’re unable to join the session, we still want to hear from you! Complete our quick survey below.
Privacy Note: Your privacy is important to us. All responses to the online survey will be kept confidential and used solely to gather community input on how to allocate the $3 million investment for public improvements in Marina. No personal data will be shared, sold, or used for any purpose beyond this project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the session or survey.
About the Project
- How is this community investment project being funded?
The $3 million comes from the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project’s Coast Development Fund, required as part of the project permits.
The Community Input Sessions are hosted by EnviroGage, a community engagement consultant, that will help ensure all voices are heard and everyone has a fair chance to participate. EnviroGage was selected by the Coastal Commission to facilitate this outreach. - Why is the facility being built in Marina and not in the benefiting communities?
The facility’s wells location in Marina was chosen based on its coastal access and logistical suitability for desalination operations. The desalination plant itself is being built in unincorporated Monterey County near the Monterey 1 Water facility. While the desalinated water will benefit neighboring communities, the project includes funding to support meaningful investments in Marina to address local impacts. - How will this project affect Marina residents directly?
The $3 million community investment will be used to enhance public access, recreational spaces, and other local amenities, ensuring Marina residents see tangible benefits. - How will the $3 million investment be used?
The funds will be allocated based on feedback gathered during the community input sessions, prioritizing projects that reflect Marina residents’ needs, such as playgrounds, community centers, improved coastal access, or environmental restoration. - Can the funds be used to address traffic, public safety, or other local concerns?
Community members are encouraged to propose projects that address a range of local concerns, such as traffic management, public safety, and other community needs. All proposals will be reviewed for feasibility before being considered for implementation. - Are there already amenities or improvements that are being considered for Marina?
Not yet. Projects will be decided based on ideas shared by residents during these sessions. - Will the project increase my water rates or taxes?
No, this project and the $3 million investment will not affect local taxes or water rates. - How can residents influence how the funding is spent?
Residents can attend the workshops or complete an online survey to share their ideas and priorities for how the $3 million should be allocated. - Will our feedback actually be considered in the decision-making process?
Yes, community feedback gathered during the workshops and surveys will directly inform how the funds are allocated to projects that benefit Marina residents. - How are underserved and multilingual communities being represented?
Translation services are available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. Free childcare and refreshments are provided to make it easier for everyone to participate. - How will the project’s progress and outcomes be reported to residents?
Once the outreach is completed and assessed, a draft Public Access and Amenities Plan will be sent to the Coastal Commission’s Executive Director for review and approval. The plan will include details on the amenities to be provided based on preferences expressed by the community, timing and implementation of the amenities, and which agencies and local organizations will be involved. Additionally, Cal-Am will fund a full-time staff position at the City of Marina for 10 years to provide technical oversight of the amenities plan on behalf of the City. Cal-Am provides the public with regular updates on the project’s progress and decisions will be shared via an email newsletter. You can sign-up to join Cal-Am’s email list here.