The Dunes on Monterey Bay chosen for Smart Growth Catalyst award

MARINA, CALIF. — The highly anticipated master planned community by Marina Community Partners LLC — a joint venture with Shea Homes, Shea Properties, and Pulte Homes — The Dunes on Monterey Bay is beginning to gain momentum and take shape. Adding to the buzz around this development, The Dunes is one of just 13 communities that were named Smart Growth Catalyst Projects by the state of California. This exciting work/live/play community has attracted major retailers such as Target, Best Buy, and REI. Soon, a medical clinic and state-of-the-art cinema will be opening as well.

Catalyst projects must demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and affordability, improve job and housing relationships, stimulate job creation, enhance transportation choices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, preserve open space, and promote energy conservation.

“These Catalyst Projects are great examples of how to build sustainable, economically vibrant communities,” said Director Lynn Jacobs from the Department of Housing and Community Development for the state of California. “This pilot program will provide valuable insights to allow the state to implement best practices and strategies. I look forward to seeing how these projects develop.”

The Dunes repurposes the site of a portion of Fort Ord, a former military base near Monterey, Calif. It promotes the idea of live, work, and play in your neighborhood. For travel in and out of the community, there will be a transportation hub that includes a proposed light rail station, priority bus lanes, bicycle routes, and pedestrian pathways.

A new website has been launched to introduce northern California: TheDunesonMontereryBay.com. The site provides potential homebuyers with all they need to know about this appealing community. TheDunesonMontereyBay.com is a resource for potential retailers and business owners as well as homebuyers. Through the URL, retailers can learn about leasing opportunities and get contact information about new housing opportunities as they become available.

The two residential builders of The Dunes are Shea Homes and Pulte Homes. They have begun creating new floorplans for the residential neighborhoods. Shea Homes, family-owned since 1881 and one of America’s largest private builders, is known for construction quality. Shea has received America’s most prestigious customer satisfaction award two times in a row and was named Professional Builder magazine’s “Builder Of The Year.” Pulte was named Energy Smart Partner of the Year in multiple markets and won the first ever National Housing Quality Gold Award from the NAHB. They have also received America’s most prestigious customer satisfaction award.

For more information, visit www.hcd.ca.gov/hpd/cpcsspp.html.