The 60-year-old Bath House perches on some of Pacific Grove’s best oceanside real estate– but the building has been vacant since 2005, when the previous tenant folded under financial troubles.
On Oct. 23, the P.G. Planning Commission approved a permit to improve the landmark and its surroundings at Lovers Point Park. Enea Properties LLC and the city of P.G. plan to remodel and build additions to the Bath House, bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and demolish the shabby restrooms next door.
On the Bath House’s first floor, the developers will reconstruct 952 square feet of storage, office and gym space, and add 269 square feet for vendors and restrooms. On the second floor they’ll expand the existing restaurant and add a 570-square-foot outdoor seating area. The city will replace the chain-link fence around the park and connect the recreation trail with the Bath House.
Public agencies advise the city to plan carefully.
The air district reminds the city to limit particulate pollution during the demolitions. The California Coastal Commission cautions that the renovations may be skewed toward retail rather than recreation, which should be the priority for public space, and suggests taking measures to ensure that polluted runoff doesn’t flow into the ocean.
To address some of the concerns, the Planning Commission added changing stalls to the restrooms, an outdoor shower for the kiddie pool, and rules requiring restaurant employees to park outside beach access areas during daylight. (The restaurant will be open only for dinner.)
The final design review heads to the city’s Architectural Review Board Nov. 13. The City Council will consider the final lease agreement and a state grant application for external improvements on Nov. 20. The Coastal Commission is expected to consider the coastal development permit in the spring.
A best-case scenario would have the new restaurant open in September, says Passionfish restaurant co-owner Cindy Walter, who will run the Bath House eatery with her husband, Ted.
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