Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA)

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History

Currently, the reuse planning and cleanup of the former Fort Ord lands is conducted by the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA), an economic planning group created by legislation that represents the neighboring governments of Monterey County and the cities of Carmel, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City and Seaside, as well as local and state ex-officio non-voting members. FORA is responsible for implementing the legislatively mandated mission that requires them to oversee replacement land use and compliance measures, enhance the economy through reuse and development of required infrastructure, and provide environmental reserve protection [1]. The FORA Base Reuse Plan (BRP) was enacted in 1997, allocating 75% of the land to open space, habitat management and recreational uses, with the rest being developed for jobs and housing. Of this area, the BLM currently manages 8,000 acres and will acquire another 7,000 once the Army has declared it safe for civilian use. A reuse plan and environmental impact report must be completed prior to any transfer of land from military to civilian use.

Mission

Under the state legislation, SB 899, FORA is authorized to "prepare, adopt, finance, and implement a plan for the future use and development of the territory occupied by the Fort Ord military base in Monterey County." [2] This legislation was followed up by SB 1600, augmenting FORA's powers and increasing their revenue base to ensure the reuse plan had sufficient financial support for implementation. [2]

According to the Fort Ord BRP [2], FORA has defined their mission as follows:

  • Expeditiously and inexpensively facilitate the transfer of property from the Army to local governments, who will sell or lease parcels to private sector developers and users.
  • Develop a Reuse Plan that is both acceptable to local governments and feasible in terms of market acceptance and financial viability.
  • Develop and implement a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that will facilitate the Reuse plan through an appropriate financing mechanism.
  • Develop a process for monitoring conformance with the CIP and Reuse Plan that maintains the integrity of the Plan, while allowing local communities and the private sector to build out the Reuse Plan as quickly as the market will permit.
  • Take the lead in the marketing of Fort Ord and promote economic development.

Habitat Management Plan

The initial process for environmental assessment began in 1993 by the U.S. Army. Details of these events can be found on the Habitat Management Plan page. HMP

Fort Ord Base Reuse Plan

Adopted in 1997, the comprehensive plan includes development for habitat/open space, commercial, hospitality, residential and recreation uses. [3]

Selected maps from the BRP

Selected maps from the EIR

Capital Improvement Program

Major Land Use Jurisdictions

  • City of Seaside
  • City of Marina
  • City of Monterey
  • City of Del Rey Oaks
  • County of Monterey
  • University of California (MBEST Center)
  • CSU Monterey Bay
  • Presidio of Monterey Annex (POMA)

Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement (ESCA) Remediation Program

On March 31, 2007, the U.S. Army and FORA entered into an ESCA, enabling the Army to transfer approximately nine parcels of land (3,340 acres) contaminated with military munitions (also called unexploded ordnance [UXO] or munitions and explosives of concern [MEC]) to FORA [4] . All munition response actions for these nine parcels are the responsibility of FORA. The Army maintains responsibility for all other contamination issues, including groundwater, soil, and landfill concerns. Under the ESCA, the Army is allowed to provide FORA with dedicated funding for munitions remediation on these specifics parcels of land.

ESCA provides the following:

  • Funds for the EPA and CA Department of Toxic and Substances Control (DTSC) oversight
  • FORA reused and remedial work coordination
  • Safe and effective munitions remediation

Clean up Programs

Development Projects

Below is a list of current or proposed development projects for the former Fort Ord lands according to FORA.

City of Marina

  • The Dunes on Monterey Bay (formerly known as University Village) includes a 365,00 square foot shopping center featuring retails like Kohls, REI, Best Buy, Michael's Art & Crafts, Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target.
  • Marina Heights is a residential project that will be developed on approximately 250 acres.

City of Seaside

  • Seaside Resort Development, LLC (SRD) is a mixed use project with golf course, residential, and visitor-serving uses on the existing 375-acre Bayonet and Blackhorse Golf Course parcel. In January 2009, SRD completed the upgrade of the Bayonet and Blackhorse gold courses to meet current PGA standards. The next phase of development includes a four-star hotel with approximately 275 rooms, 175 timeshares units and 1256 custom residential lots fronting the redesigned, award-winning courses. In July 2009, SRD released the frist 30 residential lots at the The Enclave at Cypress Grove for sale.
  • Main Gate Retail Center is a new regional retail project that will be developed on approximately 53 acres of vacant coastal land at the main gate of the former Fort Ord Army Base and adjacent to California Sate University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) campus. The proposed mixed-use project will feature approximately 500,000 of open-air retail and entertainment space. The project will include other amenities such as a 250 room hotel/conference center and spa.

County of Monterey

City of Del Rey Oaks

Fort Ord Rec Trail and Greenway

  • A proposed 30-mile network of paved trails and greenways aimed to connect communities to open space.

Maps

Links

Cities

References

  1. FORA Base Reuse Plan
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fort Ord Reuse Plan. Business and Operations Plan
  3. Fort Ord Reuse Plan Executive Summary
  4. Environmental Services Cooperative Agreement (ESCA) Remediation Program

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.