Construction starting on 22 new apartments in Monterey

MONTEREY >> Construction is set to begin in the conversion of a once problem-riddled nightclub into 22 luxury apartments in downtown Monterey.

In 2013, the City Council approved the conversion of the second- and third-floors of the Paseo Del Alvarado Building at Alvarado Street and Del Monte Boulevard to 22 apartments.

The building, which houses Cibo Ristorante, Taco Bell, and other businesses on the ground floor, has been home to upper-story offices and nightclubs since it was built in the 1970s as part of the city's first urban renewal push.

The building's upper floors previously housed the Hippodrome nightclub, which was shut down by state alcohol control officials after fights and reports of public drunkenness.

The apartment conversion was embraced by police, downtown business groups and the public when the council approved the change.

The combination of retail and residential uses in the building fits with the city general plan encouraging such mixes. It also dovetails with city plans to revitalize downtown by encouraging more people to live in the city center, Chip Rerig, planning chief for Monterey, said at the time.

Cibo Ristorante issued a press release Thursday saying construction will span 10 months. Part of the makeover by Paseo de Alvarado Partners and San Jose Construction will include adding outdoor seating to the restaurant.

The new apartments will be soundproofed so the restaurant's music won't disturb tenants, the statement said.

Businesses will likely remain open throughout the construction, and Cibo's statement said there will be no construction noise during the restaurant's business hours of 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

The statement said the renovations were a "multi-million dollar" project that includes a "full exterior face-lift."

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Construction starting on 22 new apartments in Monterey