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.
Latest News
Posted inLatest News
Imminent Pajaro River encampment sweeps will displace dozens of levee residents before ‘tiny village’ opening
The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency announced Wednesday it will move forward with scheduling its encampment sweep along the Pajaro River for the end of August, which will displace dozens of levee residents before temporary housing is available for them.
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 inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz Wharf restoration proceeds with $1 million budget-conscious plan
After 15,200 square feet was lost in the December 2024 collapse of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, the city council moved to restore 1,100 square feet for now, while laying the path for additional work as funds become available.
Posted inHousing & Development
Confronted with $6M in new fees, 190-room Cruz Hotel development takes another step forward
Groundbreaking could happen as soon as next summer on the hotel at Front and Laurel streets in downtown Santa Cruz, though its developer says the new fees, passed by the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday, could delay final financing.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Tracking Trump 2.0 and Santa Cruz County impacts: ICE fears, inflation push Watsonville family business to brink
An ongoing compilation of the effects of Donald Trump’s second presidency on Santa Cruz County.
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Nearly 19,000 PG&E customers in Aptos, Corralitos without power Tuesday morning
Nearly 19,000 in Santa Cruz County, mainly in and around Aptos, were without power Tuesday morning. PG&E spokesperson Stephanie Magallon told Lookout the outage was triggered after crews switched residents to a different source of electricity.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Facing immigration fears and inflation, a 25-year Watsonville family business fights to survive
Watsonville businesses are struggling with the dual pressures of inflation and immigration fears, with some reporting sales down 70%. At La Minita clothing store, inside a discount mall on Rodriguez Street, Maria Ceballos has added home delivery as customers opt to stay home.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County homeless count shows uneven progress as budget cuts loom
Santa Cruz County’s annual homeless count hit record lows this year, but the numbers mask a troubling rise in older adults and people with disabilities living on the streets, along with increases in Santa Cruz and Capitola as federal aid dwindles.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
New night market is coming to downtown
A new six-week market series hosting local artisans and food vendors is coming to Santa Cruz every Thursday evening starting later this month. The event series, Sunset Market, will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Aug. 14 to Sept. 18. It is being hosted by the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit […]