Carmel's infamous 'Pit' is finally going to be filled—construction scheduled to begin late November.

For about the last seven years a large two-story-deep hole about the size of half a block has been sitting in downtown Carmel at the corner of Dolores Street and Fifth Avenue, a remnant of a building project that was abandoned after the previous owners ran out of funds. Residents nicknamed it "The Pit."

After multiple delays The Pit is finally about to be filled. A start date has been set to begin construction on what is known as Ulrika Plaza, a 22,443-square-foot multi-use building being constructed by current property owner Patrice Pastor of Esperanza Carmel: Monday, Nov. 24.

Pastor sent a letter to Jeffrey Becom, president of the Carmel Art Association, on Oct. 10, to share the start date, along with an estimated timeline of construction events.

"As I know you are already aware, after a rather long and quite painful planning journey, I am very pleased to be writing to you today to confirm that we are now officially ready to start," Pastor wrote to Becom.

It was indeed a long journey for Pastor and Esperanza Carmel, having gone to the Carmel Planning Commission three times to get a design for the plaza approved. They were finally successful in August 2023.

What followed was two more years of pursuing demolition, building and construction permits. 

"The project has now completed all required planning and permitting steps, and our contractor is preparing to mobilize on site," Pastor said. "Initial activity will include site setup, safety fencing and minor preparatory works, followed by demolition and foundation work in the weeks after."

Not long after the hole for an underground parking garage was dug back in 2018, the nonprofit Carmel Art Association, the town's oldest art gallery, began experiencing issues and damages that its leaders contend is due to improper installation of pilings for the project that was abandoned. 

Becom says "the building shook like mad," the day the pilings were being driven into the ground along the gallery's property line.

The north wall of the gallery's historic structure has sunk 1- to 2-inches, according to a forensic engineering company that CAA hired to investigate. The company blamed the excavation.

So far no one is taking responsibility for the problem, leaving CAA with a possible $400,000 repair bill. Becom says Esperanza has promised them access to perform repairs as Ulrika Plaza is being built.

Another neighbor, the Carmel Foundation, experienced worse damage to an apartment complex for low-income senior citizens, losing an apartment and a laundry room. Those repairs are expected to be completed in November.

In his letter, Pastor promised the Esperanza team "is committed to managing the construction process responsibly and with respect for our neighbors." 

The key dates listed in the letter show that demolition and excavation will take place in November and December, followed by foundation work through June 2026. The entire project is estimated to be completed in July 2027.