SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell College Foundation and the National Steinbeck Center have formally assumed ownership of the CSUMB Salinas City Center from Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB).
The building will be renamed One Main Street. The announcement was made during a press conference Wednesday morning and marks a significant step in strengthening downtown Salinas through expanded educational access and regional partnerships.
The CSUMB Salinas City Center, home to the National Steinbeck Center, has served as a central hub for learning, cultural programs and community engagement since 1998. Under the Hartnell College Foundation’s leadership, One Main Street will continue to support expanded programming, provide community and industry event space and create opportunities for nonprofit collaborations and social innovations, all while remaining an anchor for downtown Salinas.
Jackie Cruz, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the Hartnell College Foundation, reflected on the goals and future plans of One Main Street.
“The Hartnell College Foundation, CSUMB and the National Steinbeck Center have worked together for over two decades to serve the Salinas Valley,” Cruz said. “With this transition, we’re building on that foundation to meet the evolving needs of nonprofit organizations, students, professionals, regional economic drivers and community members through expanded workforce development, continuing education, entrepreneurship and short-form learning that aligns with local economic needs. We extend our deep appreciation to CSUMB for their thoughtful care and leadership of this building over the years.”
National Steinbeck Center will continue to operate within the building, preserving its role as one of the nation’s foremost literary museums dedicated to the life and legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. The Center will continue to serve its members and expand its youth programming at One Main Street.
“We are thrilled to embark on a new chapter for our community and the Steinbeck fans from around the world who come to Salinas to visit the National Steinbeck Center,” said Steve Emerson, president of the National Steinbeck Center. “Our collaboration with the Hartnell College Foundation creates the opportunity to revitalize the National Steinbeck Center with enhanced bookstore and museum experiences, expanded programming for all ages and dedicated meeting spaces for our local education, business and nonprofit community. This transformational agreement not only secures the future of the Center but significantly improves its economic outlook, strengthening our ability to serve local, regional, and broader communities with greater impact and sustainability.”
Several key initiatives will also be headquartered at One Main Street, including:
- Hartnell’s K-12 STEM Programs, engaging nearly 10,000 youth annually in robotics, coding and science learning;
- Bright Futures Monterey County, the county’s cradle-to-career partnership;
- El Pájaro Community Development Corporation — kitchen incubator and entrepreneurship support for local food-based small businesses;
- Monterey County Office of Education — temporary relocation of meal service operations, ensuring continuity of warm meals for thousands of students; and
- Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce — expanded business support and re-ignition of community events impacted by the pandemic.
“We have big dreams for One Main Street,” Cruz added. “In the long term, we envision creating a community biotech lab, a space for local talent to innovate with tools and technologies usually only found in larger cities. We’re planting the seeds for regional economic vitality.”
Michael Gutierrez, superintendent/president of Hartnell College, emphasized the long-term impact of the acquisition.
“This transfer strengthens our ability to support economic development efforts in downtown Salinas and to offer more accessible education and training to the current workforce,” Gutierrez said. “Through this extension, we are committed to enhancing the economic and social mobility of both students and the broader community by helping individuals unlock opportunity and build a more connected, prosperous future for all.”
CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones affirmed the university’s support for the transition, calling it a continuation of the strong partnership between CSUMB and Hartnell College.
“Hartnell College Foundation is well positioned to continue the legacy of the Salinas City Center,” Quiñones said. “This move reflects our strong partnership and shared commitment to serve the region.”
The building purchase was made possible through the generous philanthropic support of Taylor Farms, Harden Foundation, D’Arrigo Charitable Trust and the Hartnell College Foundation Board.
“At Taylor Farms, we believe in investing in the future of our community through education, innovation and collaboration,” said Bruce Taylor, chairman and CEO of Taylor Fresh Foods. “One Main Street represents a bold vision for Salinas — a space where learning, culture and entrepreneurship intersect to support the next generation of local leaders. We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community for years to come.”
