Monterey >> A construction contract for Monterey’s North Fremont Bike and Pedestrian Access and Safety Improvement Project has given officials and business owners a new-found enthusiasm for the plan and the area’s revitalization.

The $8.5-million project, which will include the implementation of Class IV bike lanes in the median of North Fremont Street and make the intersections between Casa Verde Way and Canyon Del Rey Boulevard both pedestrian-friendly and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, is expected to kick-off in June. It’s designed to not only provide easier and safer access for pedestrians and cyclists but to help calm traffic along North Fremont Street. Both are improvements those with vested interests in the area hope serve as an impetus to draw more business and improvements.

On Tuesday, the Monterey City Council took a big step forward on the project by awarding the Granite Construction of Watsonville a contract for approximately $7.4 million. The project is part of the city’s North Fremont Specific Plan adopted in 2013 and amended in 2015. It is designed to jump start development, address infrastructure needs and improve the area’s pedestrian experience. The North Fremont Bike and Pedestrian Access and Safety Improvement Project is being paid for from grant money from the Active Transportation Program and the Regional Surface Transportation Program as well as from money from Measure X, Measure P and the Neighborhood Improvement Program.

“By having bicycle improvements there we’ll have developers look at the area,” said Leslie Svetich, president of the North Fremont Street Business District and owner of Monterey Lanes bowling alley.

“Protecting the neighborhood, encouraging commercial growth and trying to have a safe urban environment for mixed use projects to come to our area – I believe that this bike path will do that.”

Svetich recently wrote Monterey Mayor Clyde Roberson and the city council members asking for the project’s approval, noting that Monterey will be the first city in California to have a Class 4 bike lane in a median.

“It’s going to be taken to a whole new level,” said Senior City Engineer Andrea Renny, noting the project is expected to take about a year to finish. “We’re hoping that the North Fremont project is going to bring a very attractive street and a catalyst for good changes to come to North Fremont and more development of bike lanes and pedestrian friendly facilities in Seaside and Del Rey Oaks.”

Renny did note that because a massive retaining wall would be needed for the section from Casanova to Highway 218 — part of the sidewalks and other project elements there would exceed $3 million – this last part of the project will be pursued once additional grant funding is found.

In terms of new development, a three-story mixed use building project is already proposed for the 2200 block of North Fremont where Eddie’s nightclub once existed. The property is under the ownership of Patricia Work and trustees.

While it has not been officially submitted to the city yet, architect Paul W. Davis has presented plans to both officials and neighboring residents for the development, which includes commercial lease space, two floors of apartments and parking on the ground floor. It’s bordered by North Fremont Street, Airport Road and Bruce Lane.

“Right now we’ve submitted preliminary plans to the city to get comments from staff and now we’re completing the final planning drawings,” said Davis, noting that he’s in the process of finalizing the structure’s number of apartments, of which 20 percent will be affordable housing.

Davis said his design approach has included efforts to mitigate impacts on the property’s neighbors.

“There are very few three-story walls on North Fremont and no three-story walls off of Bruce Lane and I’m trying to be sensitive to everyone,” he said.

Casanova Oak Knoll Neighborhood Association President Richard Ruccello said that besides some concerns about mass, Davis’ design has gone over fairly well with residents.

Ruccello held a meeting to discuss the project in which he invited residents from the neighborhood he represents as well as those from the Villa del Monte and the Del Monte Grove Laguna Grande neighborhoods and residents living on Bruce Lane.

“We kept it to a reasonable size meeting and had a give-and-take discussion about the concerns of the adjacent residents,” said Ruccello.

According to Senior Associate Planner Todd Bennett, the city remains very eager to see the site developed with the appropriate project. That’s while other potential developments are in the works for the property at 2339 North Fremont that used to be Norma Jean’s Restaurant and the property at 2191 North Fremont, which was at one time a gas station. Local businessman Heydar Movahedi proposed a three-story development for that spot, which was previously denied but is expected to be re-submitted.

“I think we’re just starting to see the beginning,” said Kim Cole, Monterey’s acting community development director, about new developments in that section of Monterey.

Cole noted that it was the act of getting the North Fremont Specific Plan approved that led to receiving the grant for the North Fremont Bike and Pedestrian Access and Safety Improvement Project. Specifically, she credited the strategic vision of the bike improvement project design that includes diagonal crosswalks that shorten the crossing distance of North Fremont.

“We had to get the plan approved to know what the community wanted and that plan was the foundation for the grants, which in turn enabled our engineering staff to work on the final design of the construction of the project,” said Cole.

Svetich also noted the area is next on the city’s list for the under-grounding of its utilities, which she said will also make a huge difference in its viability.

“As a developer if you don’t see the infrastructure already there, you might not develop your property because it doesn’t seem viable,” said Svetich. “By adding this bike path and having the accessibility and infrastructure, it’s laying the groundwork and that will make a huge difference.”

Carly Mayberry can be reached at 831-726-4363.