The California Coastal Commission has signed off on Santa Cruz’s Downtown Plan Expansion, clearing the way for taller buildings, up to 1,600 new housing units and a potential new Santa Cruz Warriors arena south of Laurel Street.
Changing Santa Cruz
Posted inHousing & Development
Eight-story, 178-unit Clocktower Center clears final vote, capping Santa Cruz’s most polarizing development battle
The Santa Cruz City Council approved Workbench’s scaled-down Clocktower Center project — originally hailed by its developers as something “Santa Cruz hasn’t seen.” The vote ends more than a year of fierce public debate and cements the controversial development as a high-profile product of California’s pro-housing state laws.
Posted inHousing & Development
One of downtown Santa Cruz’s most visible housing projects nears completion
RiverRow, a new 175-unit building on Front Street along the San Lorenzo riverfront in Santa Cruz, is nearly complete and set to open to tenants by the end of the year.
Posted inHousing & Development
Developer mulls trimming Ocean Street housing project to 300 units from 389
A subsidiary of real estate giant Trammell Crow says it is in talks with the City of Santa Cruz to possibly reduce the size of a planned Ocean Street housing project, citing cost concerns and neighborhood fit.
Posted inHousing & Development
On Ocean Street, Marianne’s Ice Cream comes under the shadow of a major housing development
A five-story mixed-use development is slated to go up behind Marianne’s Ice Cream, a Santa Cruz staple. Marianne’s owners are worried about street parking during construction and the shadow of the building — which will stretch across Ocean Street in front of the parlor in winter — once it’s done.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
How rising costs and red tape squeeze small businesses out of downtown Santa Cruz
A mix of rising rents, construction hurdles and slow city permitting is prompting some small businesses to reconsider opening in downtown Santa Cruz. Business owners say they want to be part of downtown’s future but feel the financial and bureaucratic barriers are stacked too high — especially for those trying to open in aging buildings. While the city is rolling out reforms, including a new permitting system and faster approvals, some worry it’s not happening fast enough to keep the heart of downtown vibrant and local.
Posted inHousing & Development
As downtown Santa Cruz changes, longtime residents fear soaring rents and loss of community
As rapid development reshapes downtown Santa Cruz, longtime residents worry about rising rents, lost convenience, strained affordability and preserving their neighborhood’s deep community ties.
Posted inHousing & Development
Why Santa Cruz builds rentals, not condos — and what it means for first-time homebuyers
Santa Cruz is building more housing than ever — but almost none of it is for sale. Sky-high home prices and a state law meant to protect buyers are discouraging developers from building condos, closing off a key path to ownership.
Posted inHousing & Development
Vote clears way for Clocktower Center construction – but balcony disagreement could spell trouble
The Santa Cruz Planning Commission unanimously approved the downtown Clocktower Center project Thursday, but its rejection of developer Workbench’s request for more balcony space on lower floors opened the door to litigation.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
Santa Cruz Warriors’ sleek new arena gets downtown neighbors talking
Lookout took to the streets of downtown Santa Cruz this week to get community feedback on the conceptual drawings of the new Warriors arena.