The proposed American Tin Cannery hotel in Pacific Grove is all about the future of quality of life in town. We need to fund the library services, public parks, the Museum of Natural History, roads, sewer system, and public safety. We need a full-service hotel where we can host local events for kids, families, seniors and civic clubs. I have a lot of faith that our great Mayor Bill Peake and City Council will be able to balance the needs of the people, trees and harbor seals.

The time has come for Pacific Grove to reap the benefits of the visitors just like its neighbors Monterey and Carmel. At 225 rooms in size, the hotel is relatively small for the 5-acre parcels that make up the combined area of the site. By comparison, the Clement/Intercontinental hotel on Cannery Row is a little over one acre in size.  The bigger the hotel, the fewer taxes we have to pay. It is all about jobs for our kids and grandkids. We need a decent size, upscale hotel to survive and deliver the municipal services that we want. I have a lot of sympathy for the few residents that reside nearby, but I remember when the property had 50 outlet stores, shops and restaurants. It attracted thousands of locals and visitors when the outlets were popular. The challenge is that the neighbors have enjoyed the peace and quiet since the outlets departed.

I want to thank the developer Bob Comstock for his interest in building this project, especially during this pandemic. We are very fortunate to do business with such a decent team.

— Moe Ammar, president of Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce