County supervisors consider leasing land to Salinas to build a BMX park and other projects.

A 5-acre patch of yellow grass off East Laurel Drive in Salinas was once a proposed juvenile hall site. Now might have a future as a different kind of youth destination: It could become the site of a BMX bike track, skate park and new sidewalk.

County Supervisor Luis Alejo walks up to the top of a hill, surveying the property. “There are simply not enough parks and activities for our young people,” Alejo says. “We saw this big empty property and thought it would be perfect.”

Alejo’s dream for the parcel includes building at least 100 units of affordable and veteran housing with newly approved state funding authorized by SB 2 and SB 3 and a partnership with a to-be-determined developer. He also wants to see better sidewalks on the busy street.

Jose Martinez, who on a recent evening is playing soccer with his sons at All Veterans Park, next to the empty lot, is most enthusiastic about the potential for sidewalks: “Sometimes the cars get so close it makes you want to jump,” he says. “It’s bad for the kids too, especially at night when people might drive faster.”

Alejo has requested county planners look at the feasibility of a land swap to get this project started, and a report is expected by December. The county would lease the land to the city of Salinas, and the city would then partner with a nonprofit to develop the track.

Kristan Lundquist, the city’s recreation and community services superintendent, sees the potential lease and BMX track as a good opportunity for Salinas: “The location is enough to accommodate the park and the sidewalk.”