FORT BRAGG, 3/10/23 — Twenty-two small apartments are emerging from what used to be the Colombi Motel, courtesy of Chico developer Ryan McDougal. It’s a promising sign for housing-starved Fort Bragg, but is another step away from an old Fort Bragg fondly remembered by many.

The Colombi family owned the block around Harold and Oak streets over the past century. So much so that the laundromat, motel and store always got their mail at the store, and developer McDouglal had to establish an address, 638 East Oak Street, for the new project he calls the Abalone Apartments. County records indicate the sale price was $1.65 million dollars; the deal was closed Feb. 1. He’s hoping to open up rentals this year, but probably not before summer.