Designed by San Francisco-based
architectural firm Mark Cavagnero Associates,
the new four-story $30 million dollar building will include five learning spaces/labs, a
multipurpose room, office space for 35 staff members and a video lab.
It will also feature an event center located on the top floor and
have many features that qualify as “environmentally responsible,”
such as solar panels on the roof. It's targeted opening date is for
2018.
“It was a big project approval,”
said Kimberly Cole, Chief of Planning and Environmental Compliance
for the city. “It's really taking the center of Cannery Row, which
is a little dilapidated, and giving it new life.”
Cole said there was quite a bit of
discussion at the planning commission meeting Tuesday, with most of
it positive. She noted there were seven letters of support and one
letter of concern from the New Monterey Neighborhood Association.
Concerns centered mainly around the building's height.
“Concerns were about the fourth story
height of the building and there was quite a bit of discussion
whether the building would be set back from Hoffman Avenue or not,”
said Cole. “Those were the two key issues that the neighborhood
association was concerned about.”
As Cole explained, the bridge between
the two buildings will actually be demolished, opening up the view
corridor down Hoffman and the new 25,000 square foot building will be
shorter than the current structure.
“What really swayed the planning
commission was that the proposed new building will be smaller in
height than the existing building that's there now,” she said.
Cole noted that the general mood during
the meeting was one of excitement and anticipation for the education
center.
“This is something that we've been
waiting for for a really long time,” said Cole. “That heart of
Cannery Row – we need a center to it.”
