A new seven-story, 91-unit housing development proposed for Pacific Avenue would mean the demolition of Andy’s Auto Supply, a longtime family-owned auto shop with a rich history in Santa Cruz culture. A housing project taking its place both marks the end of an era and serves as the latest example of the big changes coming to Santa Cruz’s downtown.
Changing Santa Cruz
Posted inHousing & Development
The ‘canyon’ is coming: A rapidly developing Front Street provides a glimpse of Santa Cruz’s future
The new River Row housing complex, with 175 new units, is about a year away from opening. It’s only the first in a series of jarring aesthetic changes coming to the once drab look of Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz.
Posted inHousing & Development
Downtown farmers market prepares for May move to temporary location two blocks away
This May, in preparation for the groundbreaking on Santa Cruz’s mixed-use library project, the weekly downtown farmers market will move from its current location to a site two blocks away along Cedar Street and Church Street. The market plans to stay at this temporary spot for two to three years while it looks at options for a permanent home downtown – possibly on the site of the current downtown library.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Theft concerns, retail’s downward national trend make Rip Curl latest downtown Santa Cruz closure
Rip Curl joined O’Neill, Forever 21 and New Leaf among retailers vacating Pacific Avenue locations in recent months. A Rip Curl manager cited local safety issues, while others pointed to national trends. “These are the headwinds we’re facing,” one downtown Santa Cruz owner said. “If you don’t support your local businesses, they will close.”
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz real estate lobby opposes proposed affordable housing tax measure
The Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors’ unexpected opposition throws shade over the proposed Workforce Housing Solutions Act, an affordable housing tax measure designed to raise $5 million annually through a parcel tax and a tax on sales of luxury homes in the city of Santa Cruz.
Posted inHousing & Development
Environmental review of plan to expand downtown Santa Cruz shows few significant impacts
The environmental impacts of Santa Cruz’s planned expansion of its downtown — a potentially generational change to the look and feel of the city — were outlined in a report published Wednesday by consultant Kimley-Horn.
Posted inLatest News
O’Neill Surf Shop to close downtown Santa Cruz store after 25 years
O’Neill Surf Shop will be closing one of its five Santa Cruz County locations this month. The last day of business for the downtown Santa Cruz store is Jan. 14.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz’s new luxury hotel La Bahia slowly taking shape for summer opening
Long in the planning and construction stages, the aspiring luxury hotel La Bahia Hotel & Spa is preparing for a late summer 2025 opening on the Santa Cruz beachfront, with a spa, a couple of restaurants and a membership beach club for hotel guests and locals alike.
Posted inHousing & Development
New-look Clocktower Center is half the height, but still out of scale for some residents
The Clocktower Center proposal in downtown Santa Cruz has been downsized, but tensions remain. While some praise its potential to address a housing shortage, critics argue it’s still too tall, too disruptive, and woefully lacking in parking.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Amid economic uncertainty, downtown Santa Cruz comics store Comicopolis calls for community help
As small businesses struggle to regain foot traffic after the pandemic thanks to the growing popularity of online shopping, downtown Santa Cruz comic store Comicopolis took to social media to issue a plea for help.