Educational Segment for KAZU Radio

Aired 12. March 2005

New Development on the Former Fort Ord: The University of California's MBEST Center
I'm Carrie Mann.

A major cornerstone of the base reuse effort is the creation of the Monterey Bay Education, Science, and Technology Center, or MBEST Center, which opened its doors in 1995. It is the effort of an ongoing regional economic development initiative being led by UC Santa Cruz, and partnered with more than 30 public and private institutions around the Monterey Bay. Through this project, they hope to harmonize enterprising opportunities for research, education, and business development.

Of the 1,089 acres acquired by UC Santa Cruz for the Center, some 437 acres are being developed into a mixed-use University business park. Additionally, the MBEST Center and the County of Monterey were jointly awarded a grant from the Department of Commerce to create a model development plan known as the UrbanVillage. This 270 acre village-type development will use "smart growth" principles, and will link jobs and housing. The UrbanVillage is intended to serve as a model for other similar developments in the Monterey Bay area. Another 605 acres are part of the Fort Ord Natural Reserve.

Learn more about the MBEST Center on the Sustainable Base Reuse Institute website at basereuse.org.

For KAZU, I'm Carrie Mann.

last updated: March 2005