Changing Santa Cruz

An ongoing Lookout series on development happening in downtown Santa Cruz.

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Are we there yet? As 2026 dawns, downtown Santa Cruz is still in the middle of a long process to transformation

Are we there yet? As 2026 dawns, downtown Santa Cruz is still in the middle of a long process to transformation

by Wallace Baine December 14, 2025

What The Catalyst means to Santa Cruz’s music scene, its culture and its sense of itself

What The Catalyst means to Santa Cruz’s music scene, its culture and its sense of itself

by Wallace Baine December 7, 2025December 7, 2025

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Demolition, relocation eyed for Catalyst; Westside revitalization story; new wine district moves forward

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Demolition, relocation eyed for Catalyst; Westside revitalization story; new wine district moves forward

by Jessica M. Pasko December 3, 2025December 6, 2025

Five years after the closure of the Nickelodeon, is indie film culture in Santa Cruz dead, or merely in hibernation?

Five years after the closure of the Nickelodeon, is indie film culture in Santa Cruz dead, or merely in hibernation?

by Wallace Baine October 19, 2025

One arrested as Santa Cruz breaks ground on long-sought downtown library and affordable housing project

One arrested as Santa Cruz breaks ground on long-sought downtown library and affordable housing project

by Christopher Neely August 21, 2025August 21, 2025

Eight-story, 178-unit Clocktower Center clears final vote, capping Santa Cruz’s most polarizing development battle

Eight-story, 178-unit Clocktower Center clears final vote, capping Santa Cruz’s most polarizing development battle

by Christopher Neely August 13, 2025August 13, 2025

One of downtown Santa Cruz’s most visible housing projects nears completion

One of downtown Santa Cruz’s most visible housing projects nears completion

by Sarah Cobos August 8, 2025August 11, 2025

Developer mulls trimming Ocean Street housing project to 300 units from 389

Developer mulls trimming Ocean Street housing project to 300 units from 389

by Max Chun August 1, 2025August 13, 2025

On Ocean Street, Marianne’s Ice Cream comes under the shadow of a major housing development

On Ocean Street, Marianne’s Ice Cream comes under the shadow of a major housing development

by Carly Heltzel July 8, 2025July 8, 2025

How rising costs and red tape squeeze small businesses out of downtown Santa Cruz

How rising costs and red tape squeeze small businesses out of downtown Santa Cruz

by Lily Belli and Jessica M. Pasko June 23, 2025June 23, 2025

As downtown Santa Cruz changes, longtime residents fear soaring rents and loss of community

As downtown Santa Cruz changes, longtime residents fear soaring rents and loss of community

by Max Chun June 19, 2025June 19, 2025

Why Santa Cruz builds rentals, not condos — and what it means for first-time homebuyers

Why Santa Cruz builds rentals, not condos — and what it means for first-time homebuyers

by Christopher Neely June 16, 2025June 16, 2025

Vote clears way for Clocktower Center construction – but balcony disagreement could spell trouble

Vote clears way for Clocktower Center construction – but balcony disagreement could spell trouble

by Christopher Neely June 6, 2025June 6, 2025

Downtown Santa Cruz in transition: Locals share hopes and fears for a changing city center

Downtown Santa Cruz in transition: Locals share hopes and fears for a changing city center

by Kevin Painchaud May 15, 2025June 11, 2025

Santa Cruz City Council approves downtown expansion, but further limits building height to 85 feet

Santa Cruz City Council approves downtown expansion, but further limits building height to 85 feet

by Christopher Neely May 14, 2025May 14, 2025

‘I’m interested in making Santa Cruz relevant again’: Mayor Fred Keeley discusses monumental downtown vote

‘I’m interested in making Santa Cruz relevant again’: Mayor Fred Keeley discusses monumental downtown vote

by Christopher Neely May 13, 2025May 13, 2025

Why Santa Cruz needs a vampire bar: Could ‘Lost Boys’ tourism be our secret weapon?

Why Santa Cruz needs a vampire bar: Could ‘Lost Boys’ tourism be our secret weapon?

by Wallace Baine May 11, 2025June 11, 2025

Anthropologie store slated for former New Leaf space on Pacific Avenue

Anthropologie store slated for former New Leaf space on Pacific Avenue

by Jessica M. Pasko May 6, 2025May 6, 2025

Empty space: Why some downtown Santa Cruz storefronts stay dark for years

Empty space: Why some downtown Santa Cruz storefronts stay dark for years

by Lily Belli May 6, 2025December 2, 2025

Grocery store, parking, a pedestrian mall — questions, answers and how the soda tax figures into downtown Santa Cruz’s makeover

Grocery store, parking, a pedestrian mall — questions, answers and how the soda tax figures into downtown Santa Cruz’s makeover

by Wallace Baine May 4, 2025May 4, 2025

Downtown Santa Cruz is ‘safer than it’s ever been,’ police say, even as fears persist

Downtown Santa Cruz is ‘safer than it’s ever been,’ police say, even as fears persist

by Max Chun April 28, 2025April 28, 2025

Renewal or decline: Where is downtown Santa Cruz going?

Renewal or decline: Where is downtown Santa Cruz going?

by Wallace Baine April 27, 2025

Santa Cruz officials get tough on downtown vacancies, approve a stimulus measure

Santa Cruz officials get tough on downtown vacancies, approve a stimulus measure

by Christopher Neely April 23, 2025May 8, 2025

Texas-based developer’s eight-story proposal could kick off Santa Cruz’s downtown expansion

Texas-based developer’s eight-story proposal could kick off Santa Cruz’s downtown expansion

by Christopher Neely April 21, 2025April 21, 2025

Santa Cruz planning commission advances ambitious plan to reshape downtown with taller, denser buildings

Santa Cruz planning commission advances ambitious plan to reshape downtown with taller, denser buildings

by Christopher Neely April 18, 2025April 18, 2025

Bonnie Lipscomb named new Santa Cruz deputy city manager

Bonnie Lipscomb named new Santa Cruz deputy city manager

by Lookout Santa Cruz March 28, 2025March 28, 2025

Seven-story Pacific Ave. housing complex on site of Andy’s Auto is latest example of a changing city

Seven-story Pacific Ave. housing complex on site of Andy’s Auto is latest example of a changing city

by Max Chun March 11, 2025March 11, 2025

The ‘canyon’ is coming: A rapidly developing Front Street provides a glimpse of Santa Cruz’s future

The ‘canyon’ is coming: A rapidly developing Front Street provides a glimpse of Santa Cruz’s future

by Wallace Baine March 9, 2025March 9, 2025

Downtown farmers market prepares for May move to temporary location two blocks away

Downtown farmers market prepares for May move to temporary location two blocks away

by Lily Belli March 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Theft concerns, retail’s downward national trend make Rip Curl latest downtown Santa Cruz closure

Theft concerns, retail’s downward national trend make Rip Curl latest downtown Santa Cruz closure

by Jessica M. Pasko January 27, 2025January 27, 2025

Santa Cruz real estate lobby opposes proposed affordable housing tax measure

Santa Cruz real estate lobby opposes proposed affordable housing tax measure

by Christopher Neely January 22, 2025January 22, 2025

Environmental review of plan to expand downtown Santa Cruz shows few significant impacts

Environmental review of plan to expand downtown Santa Cruz shows few significant impacts

by Christopher Neely January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

O’Neill Surf Shop to close downtown Santa Cruz store after 25 years

O’Neill Surf Shop to close downtown Santa Cruz store after 25 years

by Hillary Ojeda January 3, 2025January 3, 2025

Santa Cruz’s new luxury hotel La Bahia slowly taking shape for summer opening

Santa Cruz’s new luxury hotel La Bahia slowly taking shape for summer opening

by Wallace Baine January 2, 2025January 2, 2025

New-look Clocktower Center is half the height, but still out of scale for some residents

New-look Clocktower Center is half the height, but still out of scale for some residents

by Christopher Neely December 17, 2024December 17, 2024

Amid economic uncertainty, downtown Santa Cruz comics store Comicopolis calls for community help

Amid economic uncertainty, downtown Santa Cruz comics store Comicopolis calls for community help

by Jessica M. Pasko November 21, 2024November 21, 2024

Santa Cruz hopes to trade deeply affordable housing for height limits in downtown expansion

Santa Cruz hopes to trade deeply affordable housing for height limits in downtown expansion

by Christopher Neely October 23, 2024October 23, 2024

New Leaf in downtown Santa Cruz to close Tuesday ahead of move to larger space

New Leaf in downtown Santa Cruz to close Tuesday ahead of move to larger space

by Lily Belli October 14, 2024October 14, 2024

Artists’ proposals sought for enormous downtown Santa Cruz mural

Artists’ proposals sought for enormous downtown Santa Cruz mural

by Wallace Baine October 11, 2024October 11, 2024

Rent cap gets final approval from Santa Cruz City Council

Rent cap gets final approval from Santa Cruz City Council

by Max Chun September 25, 2024September 25, 2024

Cruz Hotel will move forward after Coastal Commission gives it a green light

Cruz Hotel will move forward after Coastal Commission gives it a green light

by Lookout Santa Cruz Staff September 17, 2024September 18, 2024

Santa Cruz City Council to vote to restrict rent hikes at St. George — and other buildings like it in the city

Santa Cruz City Council to vote to restrict rent hikes at St. George — and other buildings like it in the city

by Max Chun September 6, 2024September 6, 2024

Facing significant rent hikes, some St. George Residences tenants feel hung out to dry

Facing significant rent hikes, some St. George Residences tenants feel hung out to dry

by Max Chun July 24, 2024September 11, 2024

Apple says it’s funding a housing project in Santa Cruz later this year — but local officials say ‘it’s news to us’

Apple says it’s funding a housing project in Santa Cruz later this year — but local officials say ‘it’s news to us’

by Max Chun July 18, 2024

Parents, kids, and grandkids: How do we still live together in Santa Cruz?

Parents, kids, and grandkids: How do we still live together in Santa Cruz?

by Wallace Baine July 5, 2024July 6, 2024

Workbench’s Clocktower Center finds pushback – and support – in second community meeting

Workbench’s Clocktower Center finds pushback – and support – in second community meeting

by Christopher Neely June 27, 2024October 22, 2024

Downtown Santa Cruz’s 12-story, 1,600-unit SoLa vision around new Warriors arena aims to thread multiple needles

Downtown Santa Cruz’s 12-story, 1,600-unit SoLa vision around new Warriors arena aims to thread multiple needles

by Christopher Neely June 19, 2024June 19, 2024

SoLa study session: City leaders, public get look at plan for downtown Santa Cruz’s arena/housing neighborhood south of Laurel

SoLa study session: City leaders, public get look at plan for downtown Santa Cruz’s arena/housing neighborhood south of Laurel

by Christopher Neely June 18, 2024June 18, 2024

Clocktower developer: ‘It’s not possible’ for politics to stop housing project that could rise to nearly 200 feet

Clocktower developer: ‘It’s not possible’ for politics to stop housing project that could rise to nearly 200 feet

by Christopher Neely June 6, 2024October 22, 2024

Motion Pacific dance studio struggles to find new home

Motion Pacific dance studio struggles to find new home

by Wallace Baine June 6, 2024October 30, 2024

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