Quick Take
The Capitola City Council will not relocate the eroded Grand Avenue pathway on Depot Hill, opting instead to look at minor improvements to the area to maintain public access.
The Capitola City Council decided not to pursue the reconstruction of the Grand Avenue pathway on Depot Hill, arguing that the cost of the work necessary to restore the popular pedestrian path is not worth the risk that it might end up crumbling again in a matter of years. A stretch of the path between Oakland Avenue and Saxon Avenue collapsed into the bay last February and has since been closed to the public.
The five-member council did suggest exploring enhancements at the ends of the surrounding streets to improve public access, such as new benches or additional parking spaces, in lieu of reconstructing the path.
“I’d love to see the pathway back there, but Mother Nature is moving along and taking its course,” said Councilmember Susan Westman. “I don’t think we want to put projects in the [capital improvement plans] that are not going to be realistic in the future.”
Capitola Public Works Director Jessica Kahn said the construction cost is estimated at about $220,000, which doesn’t include the cost of permitting, final design or the California Environmental Quality Act process. Kahn said the project also has “limited grant eligibility,” meaning the city would most likely have to foot the bill itself.
“Coastal access is really important, and fiscal responsibility is also really important,” said Councilmember Melinda Orbach. “I do not think spending the $200,000-plus to relocate the path is responsible given that it may last just 10 years.”
The pathway has eroded before. Just over a block of the path between Oakland Avenue and Hollister Avenue has been shut to public access since 2018. The city previously considered options to reopen the failed section, including relocating the path farther inland, but didn’t move forward on the idea.
Although the city council has decided not to take any action, it did keep the door open for community members to raise money for a path restoration.
Santa Cruz Metro offering free fares for Earth Day
To celebrate Earth Day, Santa Cruz Metro will be offering free fares on Wednesday. The free fares will apply to all fixed-route, ParaCruz and Highway 17 Express services.
Also on Wednesday, Metro will partner with the City of Watsonville to host an Earth Day event at the Watsonville Transit Center, where community members can connect with Metro staff and learn about sustainable transportation options throughout the county.
“At METRO, sustainability is central to our mission, and we are proud to provide transportation options that help reduce emissions, improve air quality, and support a healthier future for our community,” Metro CEO Corey Aldridge said in a media release. “Offering free fares on Earth Day is one way we can encourage people to make a sustainable travel choice.”
Latest news
Here’s what’s happening this week on our roadways:
- Electrical work, tree work and utility work are shutting down one lane of Highway 9 between Hihn Street and San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School, Pike Road and Irwin Way, Riverdale Park and Monaco Lane, and Pool Drive and Old County Highway from Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- K-rail installation is causing an overnight closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 between State Park Drive in Aptos and Park Avenue in Capitola from Monday through Friday between 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
- There is a six-week auxiliary lane closure of the southbound auxiliary lane between Soquel Drive in Live Oak and 41st Avenue in Capitola due to guardrail work.
- Emergency sewer work in Soquel Village could occasionally block access to driveways, sidewalks, on-street parking and interrupt sewer service on weekdays until June 30, on Soquel Drive, Porter Street and Main Street. Work on Soquel Drive will be overnight from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Porter and Main streets. Other, shorter-duration potholing on Porter, Main and Center streets and Daubenbiss Avenue will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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