Although updating existing signage from Louden to London will take time, the downtown community center will officially be recognized by its new name Saturday and celebrated with a Juneteenth event at neighboring Laurel Park that day.
Isabella Cueto
Follow Isabella Cueto on: Twitter. Isabella joins the Lookout team as a government accountability reporter, building on her experience covering local government for The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C.Before moving to South Carolina, Cueto was in her hometown of Miami. She served as editor-in-chief of the University of Miami’s award-winning student newspaper, and was an intern for WLRN public radio and Northwestern University’s Medill Justice Project, which investigates potential wrongful convictions. Cueto’s work has been recognized by the S.C. Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Society of News Editors.She is bilingual, fluent in Spanish.Cueto understands how high-quality local journalism makes government more responsive and effective, its inner workings more accessible to the public. That is her aim as Lookout’s government accountability correspondent.“I’m thrilled to be a part of this visionary team and to build something special for the people of Santa Cruz,” she said.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Erasing COVID’s ravages: 3 takeaways from Scotts Valley’s budget for 2021-22
Getting Scotts Valley back on track is the theme of the city’s draft budget, with a pre-COVID sales tax providing wind in the city’s sails as it aims to boost staffing and invest in infrastructure.
Posted inUncategorized
A park, a food hall or apartments? All are being considered for site of old Santa Cruz library
Since the building is too old to be renovated into a modern library space, the city has been soliciting ideas for what to put in the space. Two main concepts have emerged: a plaza/park with housing and parking, and a community or commercial space in the repurposed building plus parking.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz heads toward a district-based system for city council representation
The city will soon begin the process of transitioning from at-large city council seats to district-based positions. That involves separating the city into seven voting districts before the November 2022 election.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
TOLO out, CSSO in: Santa Cruz City Council gives first OK to new homeless camping law
The new ordinance, which needs two approvals to become law, is more cut-and-dried than the TOLO, and more restrictive. If approved, the ordinance would ban outdoor sleeping everywhere in Santa Cruz except at sites specifically designated by the city for overnight camping.
Posted inHousing & Development
Is end to legal clash over the San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment in sight?
There have been signs of progress in the litigation between the homeless union and Santa Cruz officials in advance of a key hearing Thursday, but sticking points remain.
Posted inLatest News
Highway 1 and 9 homeless encampment begins clearing out to make way for construction project
It appeared that the hundreds of campers in coming days will need to find open spaces in city and county shelters or managed encampments in which to stay — or find some other place to sleep. Homeless advocates had begun going to the intersection Friday to try to begin finding places for the displaced campers to relocate.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘This is a timeout’: Rail Trail stalls without $17 million needed for next steps
The train project is stuck in a bind: State and federal funding is unlikely to come down without local funding, and locals are unlikely to want to tax themselves without a clear plan or a financial commitment from the state or federal government.
Posted inUncategorized
50-unit apartment complex for low-income renters proposed in Santa Cruz’s Lower Ocean neighborhood
Under developer MidPen’s proposal, existing buildings at 314 Jessie St. would be demolished and replaced with a five-story apartment complex that includes parking underneath it, as well as leasing offices and a community room on the two bottom floors.
Posted inCity Life
‘Hike to Heal’ outdoor art exhibit in Felton to spotlight photography of CZU Lightning Complex fires
Starting Saturday, May 8, the “Art Outdoors Hike To Heal” display will feature work by fire survivor and local photographer Devi Pride. Visitors will be able to take an “art hike” at the Felton Branch Library and nearby Discovery Park nature loop to explore the artwork.