Santa Cruz voters delivered a historic “no” vote on Measure F last month. Rick Longinotti attributes this to mistrust in city government. Longinotti believes city staff buried a consultant’s downtown parking strategic plan to win city council support for a new parking garage to be constructed along with a new downtown library.
Downtown Santa Cruz library/affordable housing project
Posted inUncategorized
Lookout Update: Downtown library vote moves toward November ballot
With the validity of their petition’s signatures confirmed, critics of Santa Cruz’s mixed-use downtown library project can now plan on taking their issues with the development to the city’s voters.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
John Hall on downtown library initiative: ‘We are not about blocking things’
As the Our Downtown, Our Future group waits for approval for a voter measure for November to challenge the current new downtown library proposal, one of its leaders explains its opposition.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A new challenge to Santa Cruz’s downtown mixed-use library building
The downtown mixed-use library project has been in motion for development since 2016, with construction of the new library planned to begin as early as next summer. Opponents — forming the group Our Downtown, Our Future — now aim to put a ballot measure before city voters this fall to block it. Lookout tackles the questions voters will likely consider.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout Update: Santa Cruz will provide more design details on the new downtown library
On Thursday, the city will present its most recent design updates to plans for the new downtown library, one part of the downtown library mixed-use project. Groundbreaking for the development is expected for the latter part of 2023.
Posted inHousing & Development
Affordable housing ideas in the spotlight: Forum to detail two possible Santa Cruz ballot measures
On Thursday, the people behind two potential ballot measures will explain how their plans would increase affordable housing in the city of Santa Cruz should they get on the November ballot. Some city officials and activists, however, aren’t so sure.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz updates design proposal for much-debated mixed-use library project
Under the new design, the long-awaited project — proposed for the downtown parcel Lot 4 — will now include more affordable housing units and fewer parking spots. The project is set to break ground in 2022.
Posted inEvents, Politics & Policy
Yay or nay: How some Santa Cruz business owners view the mixed-use library project
A mixed-use project under development review by the Santa Cruz City Council has become increasingly controversial. Lookout spoke to business owners in the downtown area to gauge their thoughts on the proposal for a new library building and affordable housing complex.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Proposed change to Santa Cruz mixed-use library plan exposes deep divides
On Monday, two groups sent a proposal to Santa Cruz City Council asking it to reevaluate spending $2.29 million on the library master architect contract. But some affordable housing advocates say the proposal will take away affordable units from downtown under the guise of more open space for Santa Cruzans.
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A park, a food hall or apartments? All are being considered for site of old Santa Cruz library
Since the building is too old to be renovated into a modern library space, the city has been soliciting ideas for what to put in the space. Two main concepts have emerged: a plaza/park with housing and parking, and a community or commercial space in the repurposed building plus parking.
