Downtown Santa Cruz isn’t empty — and both the numbers and the visuals prove it, writes Matt Huffaker, the city manager. New businesses are opening, vacancies are falling and millions of people are showing up to shop, eat, study and spend time downtown. Maybe, he writes, it’s time to stop asking what’s wrong with downtown and start noticing what’s working.
Matt Huffaker
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
West Cliff’s future depends on unity – surfers have a place in the discussion
Surfers have always been an important partner in the City of Santa Cruz’s climate resiliency planning and have helped shape priorities for West Cliff Drive’s future, writes City Manager Matt Huffaker. He refutes a recent Community Voices piece by surfing community members and warns about the spread of false information that confuses the public and makes it difficult to implement needed change. The city has extensive planning efforts underway, all open to feedback from the community, and he says it’s a great time for the public to get engaged on this important work.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz remains committed to compassionate homeless solutions, despite Supreme Court decision
The City of Santa Cruz is not changing its homeless policies in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order to clear homeless encampments. Rather, it is moving forward with programs that increase affordable housing, offer shelter and provide outreach, writes City Manager Matt Huffaker. Here, Huffaker outlines the city’s programs, efforts and grants, which he says have led to a 36% decrease in homelessness in Santa Cruz over the past year.
