For the first time, the Santa Cruz Warriors organization released early renderings of the long-discussed new basketball arena proposed for in the city’s south of Laurel Street neighborhood downtown.
The future of downtown Santa Cruz
A Lookout series on the business and politics of development in downtown Santa Cruz.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘I’m interested in making Santa Cruz relevant again’: Mayor Fred Keeley discusses monumental downtown vote
As Santa Cruz weighs a major downtown expansion and a new housing measure, Mayor Fred Keeley faces a defining week. Years of planning come to a head as the city debates growth, change and what kind of future it wants to build.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Empty space: Why some downtown Santa Cruz storefronts stay dark for years
Despite new business openings in downtown Santa Cruz, several high-profile storefronts on Pacific Avenue — including the former homes of Palace Art and Peet’s Coffee — have sat vacant for years, raising questions about barriers to revitalization. City leaders hope a proposed “vibrancy ordinance” will push property owners to lease long-empty spaces, but high renovation costs, permitting delays and market mismatches continue to stall progress.
Posted inHousing & Development
Grocery store, parking, a pedestrian mall — questions, answers and how the soda tax figures into downtown Santa Cruz’s makeover
Nationally recognized urban designer and consultant Robert Gibbs worked closely on downtown Santa Cruz a decade ago. We asked him about some of the issues facing downtown today.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
Downtown Santa Cruz is ‘safer than it’s ever been,’ police say, even as fears persist
In Santa Cruz, police say there hasn’t been any dramatic rise in downtown crime, even as some merchants report more aggressive confrontations since the pandemic. Business owners point to more visible mental health crises and drug use on the streets, while safety incidents that spread quickly on social media, for fueling public fears about downtown safety.
Posted inHousing & Development
Renewal or decline: Where is downtown Santa Cruz going?
When four prominent retailers all abandoned downtown Santa Cruz within the space of a few weeks, chatter about a downtown in decline began to grow louder. Lookout will be turning our eye to the rapid changes happening downtown, the economic ups and downs, and the profound transformation that could shift the area from a mainly commercial district to a residential neighborhood.
Posted inFood & Drink
Downtown Santa Cruz farmers market will move to its new location on May 21
After more than 30 years in its familiar Cedar Street lot, the Wednesday downtown Santa Cruz farmers market will relocate one block away on May 21 to make way for the new library and housing project breaking ground in June. The market’s temporary new home — stretching along Cedar Street and around the Cruzio building — will host the weekly event for the next two to three years as the city and market leaders work toward a permanent, purpose-built site downtown.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz officials get tough on downtown vacancies, approve a stimulus measure
The Santa Cruz City Council is taking action to address long-vacant downtown storefronts with the proposed Downtown Vibrancy Ordinance requiring upkeep plans, local management and city coordination. The broader resolution aims to boost downtown vitality through alleyway activation and business support.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Closing a street to cars may feature in Santa Cruz City Council downtown economic plan later this month
Each week for nearly the past year, a grassroots group has met at a Santa Cruz beer house with one goal: closing some downtown Santa Cruz streets to cars. The group has gotten support from business owners, employees and downtown patrons, and now, city leaders are mulling whether to bring the idea up for a vote that could eventually reshape how locals and visitors experience the city center.
