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HI-Monterey Bay Eco-hostel

Just a few miles north of Monterey, California lies the city of Seaside home of the former military base, Fort Ord. A prime example of the “Swords to Ploughshares” effort to convert decommissioned army bases to new non-military uses, Fort Ord is now home to a new campus of California State University, and a new state park. Soon Fort Ord will also be the site of a Hostelling International hostel.

The Monterey Bay Eco-Hostel in Fort Ord, will showcase sustainability and carbon-neutral living, utilizing alternative energy and green building techniques on its campus of several buildings. Planned to be a group facility, this new hostel will also offer educational programs focused on exploring the unique habitat of Monterey Bay and on the use of green sustainable technology.

The Monterey Bay Eco-Hostel will join and supplement its sister hostel near Cannery Row in Monterey, providing affordable shared accommodations, specially designed for groups. This phase of the long-term development process will open a 36 bed group facility in 2012. Additional phases will add buildings and hostel beds as funds are raised. The cost of Phase Two is estimated to be $925,000, of which $425,000 must still be raised.