UC Santa Cruz officials say they plan to begin construction on the long-delayed Student Housing West project in the spring. Opponents of the project say legal challenges will likely prevent the school from breaking ground.
Lookout Update
Posted inLatest News
Lookout Update: ‘Cookie Monster’ still in Santa Cruz despite police calls
Adam Sandler, the man who has been seen along the beachfront area in a Cookie Monster costume since at least early February, is still in town despite receiving negative public attention. Lookout spoke with him briefly Monday.
Posted inHousing & Development
Lookout Update: Santa Cruz pushes off weighty discussions on ‘corridors,’ affordable housing and rezoning
Some 387 parcels along Mission Street, Ocean Street and Soquel Avenue that are up for rezoning and new building standards have driven lots of debate. Meanwhile, a proposed assisted living facility along West Cliff Drive has drawn opposition. Decisions on both have been postponed, with hearings scheduled for October and November.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout Update: Still no local Starbucks union negotiations, but NLRB to hold unfair labor practice hearing
Three months ago, the Starbucks on Mission Street and Ocean Street in Santa Cruz became the first Starbucks stores in California to vote to unionize. The process of agreeing to a contract was expected to move slowly, and negotiations still have yet to begin. There’s currently no timetable for the bargaining kickoff, but the parties will meet in federal court Sept. 13 for a hearing on a charge of unfair labor practices.
Posted inEducation
Lookout Update: UCSC receives $89 million from state toward Kresge College renewal project, housing
UC Santa Cruz provides on-campus housing for more than half of its undergraduate students and is working to provide more amid the housing crisis via two large projects. One of those — the Kresge College renewal project — will add 600 additional beds.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout Update: Oversized vehicle ordinance now in limbo as Coastal Commission block forces rethinking
Last Thursday’s California Coastal Commission ruling is the latest setback in the controversial “RV ban” in the city of Santa Cruz. While the city moves ahead with other homelessness plans, the city council will take up how to deal with the ruling when it returns from summer recess on Aug. 9.
Posted inEducation
Lookout Update: Cabrillo College renaming on track for fall decision
Students, staff, the Native American community and Cabrillo Foundation supporters have all weighed in — differently — on a possible Cabrillo name change; President Matt Wetstein emphasizes that student and Indigenous voices must be prioritized in considering the decision, which could happen this fall.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout Update: BLM mural vandalism trial still not set; restitution hearing scheduled for late May
The preliminary hearing for the two alleged vandals of the downtown Black Lives Matter mural is slated for Oct. 7, and…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout Update: Koenig met by angry Soquel crowd over proposed Homekey project on Park Avenue
Why a small town hall meeting turned into a sometimes-heated exchange between 1st District Supervisor Manu Koenig and a crowd of neighbors displeased at how a supportive housing project is being rolled out along Park Avenue in Soquel.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout Update: Santa Cruz overnight RV parking ban moves slowly forward
The city of Santa Cruz’s aim to remove RVs and trailers from city streets still hasn’t become reality. The planning commission’s vote to keep it moving is another step in the complex process.