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.
Changing Santa Cruz
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.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
What’s really going on in downtown Santa Cruz – we’re outpacing our coastal peers
Downtown Santa Cruz is transforming, and it’s doing better than most, argues Scott Newsome, a Santa Cruz city councilmember. While other coastal cities struggle with high vacancy rates and sluggish recoveries, Santa Cruz’s downtown is seeing major investment, momentum and new business activity, he writes. Newsome outlines millions in current and future projects, including housing, transit, public spaces and economic incentives, as the engine behind downtown’s resilience.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Scenes from a historic night in Santa Cruz
Inside Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
Posted inHousing & Development
Downtown Santa Cruz in transition: Locals share hopes and fears for a changing city center
Lookout interviewed local residents to get their thoughts on why they come to downtown Santa Cruz, what they think of the changes underway downtown and what would encourage them to visit the city center more often.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council approves downtown expansion, but further limits building height to 85 feet
After nearly five years of community discussion and debate, the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday approved the city’s Downtown Plan Expansion, a vision that promises to reshape the built environment of a city facing the mounting pressures of growth.
Posted inHousing & Development
Warriors unveil concept drawings of new downtown Santa Cruz arena
For the first time, the Santa Cruz Warriors organization released early renderings of the long-discussed new basketball arena proposed for in the city’s south of Laurel Street neighborhood downtown.
