Board of Supervisors approves funds for Alisal arch, despite hearing opposition.

For months, County Supervisor Luis Alejo has pushed for the construction of an arch in the Alisal neighborhood in East Salinas. On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the board voted 4-1 to allocate $100,000 of District 1 discretionary funds for the project, despite hearing opposition during public comment. (Supervisor Wendy Root Askew cast the dissenting vote.) 

“The Alisal arch is designed to serve as a permanent civic feature that enhances the public environment, celebrates the history and culture of the Alisal community, and fosters neighborhood pride and cohesion,” a county staff report states. 

Alejo represents District 1, which roughly overlays urban Salinas, and raised the idea of the arch as an East Salinas answer to the downtown Salinas arch over South Main Street. 

Each of five county supervisors can allocate discretionary funds; in this case, the funds go to the Community Foundation for Monterey County which will act as the fiscal administrator for the Alisal Arch capital campaign, which private individuals or businesses can also donate to. 

Chris Barrera, president of LULAC Council 2055, opposed the project and questioned whether residents, the Alisal Vibrancy Plan committee, Salinas city staff and the Salinas City Council have been involved in the process. He also noted there isn’t a partnership in place with Salinas for the arch project.

“The East side doesn’t need symbolism. It needs safe crosswalks, traffic calming, high-speed internet and direct investment that improves daily life,” Barrera said, adding that the dollar amount could have funded the Salinas United Business Association (SUBA), an organization supporting small businesses in East Salinas that phased out in 2025, for another year.

Some residents called it a “vanity project” and frivolous spending. Peter Szalai of Salinas said the county could use the funds to address other issues, such as homelessness, road maintenance and infrastructure.

In September, Salinas City Councilmember José Luis Barajas requested putting the project on a future council agenda, and Alejo said it would be discussed at the city level in the upcoming months.  

“This request did come from the community,” Alejo said, noting it was one of the ideas residents brought forward during Alisal Vibrancy Plan meetings. 

"This is not the end. This is the beginning. I’m going to continue to raise money from the community, from philanthropic groups,” Alejo said.

He also added that he would raise the funds regardless of whether the city is a partner in the project or not.