From the Mayor’s Desk: It’s Time For “We Will” Solutions

When I ran for mayor, I promised to move Carmel from “we should” to “we will”. With a dynamic City Council and an energized City staff, that promise is now becoming reality. Long-overdue tasks like stump removal, sidewalk fixes, tree removals and other infrastructure repairs, are happening all over town—driven by a shared commitment to action.

Now, it’s time to apply this same momentum to other priorities: easing parking headaches, fixing our beach stairways, upgrading public restrooms and our police station, and evaluating special events. These aren’t new issues—but they demand fresh thinking, clear decisions, and a “we will” strategy.

A Bold, Unified Strategy for Parking

After years of studies, it’s time for results. I’ve asked staff, residents, and business owners to help craft an “all-In” strategy. Can we unlock hidden capacity by rethinking timed zones, loading areas, and adjusting striping between 9th and 4th? Can we adjust spaces lost to AB 413 by using local data, lowering downtown speed limits, and prudent changes at intersections?

We are also looking beyond the curb. Could locations like the Forest Theater, Sunset Center, and Vista Lobos have potential for more parking? Some public, some reserved for valet, some supported with a shuttle service? Partnering with local churches and businesses could further expand access. A grassroots effort is developing bold, creative, and easily implemented solutions to ease the pressures before the busy summer season.

Restoring Access to Our Iconic Beach

Carmel’s beach is part of our soul, and the stairways are how we get there. Two are currently closed, and others are in disrepair. That’s just not acceptable. A practical and affordable plan is on the table to reopen the closed stairways with high-quality, long lasting like-for-like repairs. But this must be the start, not the end. We need a long-term plan to restore and maintain every stairway and bluff revetment. These are more than structures—they’re essential to who we are.

Supporting Visitors While Preserving Charm

We’ve always welcomed visitors, but we need to support that hospitality with better infrastructure. Public restrooms are too few, and those we have need updating. We will be evaluating plans to expand restroom access and improve design while supporting ADA compliance. These are quality-of-life improvements—for residents and visitors alike.

A Smarter Plan for Our Police Station

Our police department has worked out of a makeshift building for too long. We are leading a realistic assessment to determine exactly what the department needs, now and in the future, balanced with an achievable budget. Our goal: a right-sized, cost-effective building that supports our officers and protects our community.

Balancing Events with Quality of Life

Special events around the Peninsula bring excitement and energy—but also noise, congestion, and disruption. Residents, visitors, and business owners are raising real concerns, and they deserve to be heard. It might be time to review our events calendar with open eyes. Which events uplift Carmel’s values? Which ones serve the community, and which may need to evolve or step back? A renewed Community Activities Commission can lead this charge.

Carmel’s Culture of Action

From sidewalks to stairways, from parking to public safety, we are building a culture of thoughtful progress. When our amazing residents, city staff, businesses, and nonprofits come together, we will continue to show that action beats intention. Let’s keep going. Let’s keep choosing “we will.” To hear a podcast generated from this article, go to cli.re/wewill.

Dale Byrne, Carmel Mayor

dbyrne@cbts.us