Marina moves forward with a call for operators interested in its equestrian center.

The City of Marina wants to hear ideas from those interested in operating the shuttered Marina Equestrian Center.

The Marina City Council directed staff to issue a request for proposals on Sept. 15, and Assistant City Manager Courtney Lindberg says the document is being finalized this week before it is released and taking proposals.

In 2025, the City evicted the center’s concessionaire Chaparral Country Corporation over alleged violations with its agreement.

The 27 acres of land at California Avenue and 9th Street were deeded to Marina in 1998 by the National Park Service with the caveat that the property only be used for recreational purposes or as a public park.

In March, the City began drafting an RFP that includes an option for interested parties to propose a plan for a smaller or larger footprint.

Lindberg told the council that there are a “million what-ifs with a property this big and this dynamic.” Proposals must be for public recreation and park uses, with a staff report suggesting amenities such as a mountain bike park, zipline, velodrome and more.

“This is not a rushed process,” Lindberg said. “This is going to be very intentional. I would like to encourage people to think outside the box.”

Whether those proposals include equestrian uses is not a requirement, something that may prove controversial for local equestrians who point to the dwindling options in Monterey County, especially since the closure of Pebble Beach Equestrian Center in 2024.

Councilmember Kathy Biala said the property is an important piece in the city that can’t be a “losing proposition.”

“It’s a valuable property, but it has to be able to at least break even,” she said.

Councilmember Brian McCarthy said he was not optimistic that equestrian uses would be proposed, but he would “keep an open mind.”

“I think it’s time to start thinking about future uses here,” he said.

Once the RFP is issued, it will set off a timeline that could see the council reviewing proposals by the end of the year. If no proposals are received, or there are none to the council’s liking, Lindberg said that will be time for the City to reassess.

Also during Sept. 15’s meeting, the council agreed to allow emergency officials to use the equestrian center as an evacuation shelter for animals affected by the fires in Big Sur.