A slowdown in groundbreaking for major housing developments around Santa Cruz County can likely be attributed to supply chain issues and rising interest rates on construction loans, rather than solely economic uncertainty at the federal level — although that is a factor, too. Developers and planners continue to grapple with a rapidly shifting economy as they prepare for thousands of new residents.
Housing & Development
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Why Santa Cruz needs a vampire bar: Could ‘Lost Boys’ tourism be our secret weapon?
The 1987 cult classic “The Lost Boys” has developed a deep association with the city in which it was shot, Santa Cruz. As downtown struggles to build toward a new future, wouldn’t a “Lost Boys” bar or cafe be just the thing to jumpstart interest in visiting Santa Cruz again?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz plans to rescind ordinance in exchange for rent cap agreement to settle federal lawsuit with downtown landlord
The City of Santa Cruz will rescind the rent cap on housing developments with expiring rental agreements, but with the understanding that the owners of the St. George Residences downtown will still abide by the cap.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Local tourism organization preps for subdued season
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports that Santa Cruz County’s tourism nonprofit sees some choppy waters ahead. She’s also got news on downtown development, comings and goings and events to get on your calendar.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Anthropologie store slated for former New Leaf space on Pacific Avenue
In a recent meeting with Downtown Association of Santa Cruz members, the business organization’s director said it was “a verified rumor” and “good news” that home decor and clothing retail chain Anthropologie will move into the spot at Pacific and Soquel avenues in downtown Santa Cruz vacated last fall by New Leaf Community Markets.
Posted inHousing & Development
Grocery store, parking, a pedestrian mall — questions, answers and how the soda tax figures into downtown Santa Cruz’s makeover
Nationally recognized urban designer and consultant Robert Gibbs worked closely on downtown Santa Cruz a decade ago. We asked him about some of the issues facing downtown today.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz’s housing boom sees ‘significant slowdown’ as economic fears deepen
Santa Cruz County is facing multiple economic challenges, local leaders warned at an economic conference Thursday, as housing developments stall, UCSC grapples with federal funding cuts and government agencies prepare for a potential recession amid immigration concerns.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Welcome to the first fire-resistant neighborhood. Now what about the rest of California?
Dixon Trail, in the San Diego suburb of Escondido, is the first purpose-built “wildfire resilient neighborhood” in the United States. Making that a reality for the millions of Californians who already live in harm’s way is a daunting and costly challenge that lawmakers are only just beginning to grapple with.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
Downtown Santa Cruz is ‘safer than it’s ever been,’ police say, even as fears persist
In Santa Cruz, police say there hasn’t been any dramatic rise in downtown crime, even as some merchants report more aggressive confrontations since the pandemic. Business owners point to more visible mental health crises and drug use on the streets, while safety incidents that spread quickly on social media, for fueling public fears about downtown safety.
Posted inHousing & Development
Renewal or decline: Where is downtown Santa Cruz going?
When four prominent retailers all abandoned downtown Santa Cruz within the space of a few weeks, chatter about a downtown in decline began to grow louder. Lookout will be turning our eye to the rapid changes happening downtown, the economic ups and downs, and the profound transformation that could shift the area from a mainly commercial district to a residential neighborhood.