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SEASIDE, Calif.- The sound of horse racing could be coming to the Central Coast. But could the crowds, noise, and traffic make the proposal a "bad bet" for the former Fort Ord? It's a grandstand set to seat more than a thousand fans. But some people are calling it a gamble.
Right now the closest place you can go to put your money down on horse racing is at the Monterey County Fairgrounds satellite wagering location. But that could soon change. If you thought you had to go all the way to Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley or to Santa Anita Park for live horse betting. Think again. The City of Seaside is looking at plans from a developer who wants to build a project called Monterey Downs on the city's portion of Fort Ord. But not everyone is on board.
"I do feel that the Fort Ord property should be developed with housing and commercial buildings and the veterans cemetery. But a race track, I don't think is conducive to the area," said seaside resident Frank Ferrante.
On Tuesday the city is holding its first of three open house meetings to reveal the plans to the public. Developers said it's not going to be as big as the Del Mar Race Track near San Diego, which seats about 45,000. On days with the biggest turnout, Monterey Downs could bring in about 5,000 people. They plan to hold races between August and the end of November.
Some people we spoke with said they're not opposed to the money it would rake in. But neighbors like Ferrante said there's already enough people coming to the Monterey Peninsula for other events.
"I would not want to see any more traffic since that opened the San Pablo Gate. You see a lot of extra traffic on this particular street," Ferrante said.
A hotel, residential neighborhood and a shopping center are also part of the Monterey Downs project. The city doesn't expect to make a decision on the project until next year.
