After 13 years of dedicated leadership as the City Manager in Marina and a 38-year career in city management, Marina City Manager Layne Long has announced his retirement, effective July 17, 2026. His tenure marks one of the most significant periods of growth and transformation in the City’s history.
“Layne Long oversaw a remarkable turnaround in Marina during his tenure as City Manager,” said Mayor Bruce Delgado. “Our City was facing serious financial challenges, and his vision and tenacity helped transform it into a thriving community with new housing, major employers, and vital infrastructure. His dedication and steady leadership strengthened our financial foundation and positioned Marina for a successful, sustainable future. While we will miss his leadership, we are grateful for the strong foundation he helped build for the City’s continued success.”
Long began his service to Marina in 2013 at a pivotal time in the City’s history. Following the closure of Fort Ord in 1994, the largest military base closure ever in the United States, Marina faced stalled development, thousands of acres of underutilized land, and more than a thousand blighted military structures. During his tenure, Mr. Long worked collaboratively with the City Council, community stakeholders, and development partners to rebuild confidence, amend key development agreements, and initiate transformative projects that have reshaped Marina’s future including the Dunes at Monterey Bay, Sea Haven and Marina Station.
Under Mr. Long’s leadership, the City strengthened its financial foundation, invested in critical infrastructure and public facilities, improved service delivery and public safety, and fostered community engagement. New hotels, a Cinemark movie theater, Trader Joe’s and dozens of other new businesses including Joby Aviation, the world’s leading developer of eVTOL aircraft, which now manufactures aircraft at the Marina Municipal Airport and employs more than 450 people, have moved to Marina and are strengthening the City’s tax base.
Several major initiatives are currently underway, including finalizing plans and beginning construction of the 75,000 square foot indoor Recreation and Aquatics Center; constructing new City parks at the Dunes, Sea Haven and Glorya Jean Tate including one of the largest all-inclusive playgrounds in California; and continuing engagement with the community to develop plans for revitalizing downtown Marina; developing plans for a city initiated housing project at Cypress Knolls to provide 1,500 housing units for the “missing middle” housing for middle income workers; and working with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District to restore and revitalize Locke-Paddon Park wetlands including developing a new Asian American Garden.
Long expressed deep gratitude to the City Council for his time serving Marina. “None of this work would have been possible without the trust, support and leadership of the City Council and the commitment of our exceptional staff,” Long stated. “I have been continually inspired by the professionalism, resilience, and dedication of Marina’s employees, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside such a talented and caring team. I am also thankful for the many residents and community partners whose passion for Marina has guided and enriched our work. I will miss working for our wonderfully diverse community.”
Mr. Long will continue serving as City Manager through July 17, 2026, and remains fully committed to working closely with the City Council to ensure continuity and a smooth transition. The City Council will begin the search for Long’s successor in the coming weeks.