Business

Fisherman's Wharf is seeing the biggest impact. Central Coast News talked with all four whale watching companies out there. They all said they've seen business double and on the weekend sometimes tripled their regular totals. We're talking about raking in tens of thousands of extra dollars, "It's been nothing short of spectacular," said Benji Shake. People are scrambling to check out the rare sight blue whales in Monterey Bay .

Benji Shake owns Princess Monterey Whale Watching Company. He said the company is so busy right now there's a waiting list for weekends and most people are making reservations days in advance, "People are coming from all over the country. Even the locals are coming and that might as well be like coming from another country because the locals never come!" said Shake.

It's no wonder why a lot of you can't get enough of the whales.

The Monterey City Council unanimously voted on a traffic plan to help bring an economic boost to the city.

The city said the plan will help revitalize and develop road ways in the downtown and waterfront areas. 

There were several options but the city chose the most expensive option at nearly 4 million dollars. However, it was also one of the only options that allowed the city to apply for grant money to help pay for the project. 

Tuesday night, the community had mixed reaction to the plan.  Some said other projects in Monterey should be finished first, while many business owners said revitalization and development efforts are needed now to help their businesses grow. 

It's an issue council talked about for months.  Members said businesses are suffering during tough economic times and this plan is necessary to help fix the problem.

On Saturday, June 5th: The City of Monterey will host a second community meeting about the future of the North Fremont Business District.  The meeting is from 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. at the Black Bear Diner on Fremont Street.

The City is working on a "far reaching, visionary plan" for the mixed-use corridor located between Highway 1 and the Seaside city limits.

More information on the project is available at the City's website, www.monterey.org/northfremontplan.

No worries for late-night pizza lovers in Downtown Monterey.  Despite Croce's/East Coast Eatery closing up shop, a new pizza place will soon be moving in.

It will be called Bellagio Pizzaria.  The scheduled opening is for May 1st.  The main restaurant portion of the building will be a new mexican restaurant, called Habanero's.  There's another chain by the same owner in Oldtown Salinas.

As reported before, The Whammy Bar Monterey, a live music venue, is also moving into the building.  The grand opening for them is scheduled for April 23rd.