The Nickelodeon Theatre in downtown Santa Cruz has been closed for more than five years, bringing up questions not only about the viability of independent film, but whether the once robust subculture of arthouse cinema in Santa Cruz will ever come back.
The future of downtown Santa Cruz
A Lookout series on the business and politics of development in downtown Santa Cruz.
Posted inFood & Drink
Sweet news for downtown: Ashby Confections set to open Pacific Avenue shop
Ashby Confections, a local candy and chocolate maker, is moving into a long-vacant storefront in downtown Santa Cruz, transforming the former Joe’s Pizza and Subs into a production kitchen and retail shop. Owner Jennifer Ashby expects the new space to open by Easter.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County homeless services dealt double blow as MHCAN, Downtown Streets Team abruptly shutter
Santa Cruz’s homeless services network faces new uncertainty as the Mental Health Client Advocacy Network abruptly closed “until further notice” and Downtown Streets Team announced plans to shut down statewide this fall.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
How rising costs and red tape squeeze small businesses out of downtown Santa Cruz
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.
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 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 inBusiness & Technology
Amid mounting vacancies, downtown Santa Cruz needed a coach, and a matchmaker
Santa Cruz hired retail coach Charles Parker to address its mounting downtown vacancies issue. Described as a “matchmaker,” Parker is now leading the effort to pitch the city’s potential to businesses — aiming to turn empty storefronts into vibrant hubs amid shifting retail trends and increasing housing stock.
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.
