After plans for a 16-story high-rise in downtown Santa Cruz sparked an uproar over new state laws that supersede local control to encourage more affordable housing, financing challenges will ultimately shape the proposal, according to one of its developers. Sibley Simon, a partner at Workbench, told Lookout on Thursday that the Clocktower Center project will likely be seven or eight stories instead.
Workbench
Posted inHousing & Development
‘Clocktower project?’: ‘I don’t see anyone figuring how to do a 16-story building in Santa Cruz for a good long while’ — and other takeaways from Lookout’s housing forum
In a 2½-hour forum hosted by Lookout, panelists offered lively takes on the question of the evening: “Can Santa Cruz County control its housing destiny?” With the in-person crowd clearly mixed on the prospects of high-density development, Workbench developer Sibley Simon seemed to dismiss the likelihood of the 18-story Clocktower proposal in downtown Santa Cruz ever being built. In the first hour, local officials Manu Koenig and Sandy Brown debated the value – and difficulties– of the state’s housing mandates with state Sen. Scott Wiener.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Can Santa Cruz County control its housing destiny? Lookout panel searches for an answer
Lookout will host a two-part panel on Wednesday, July 31, with state Sen. Scott Wiener, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Manu Koenig, Santa Cruz City Councilmember Sandy Brown, and Sibley Simon of local development/architectural firm Workbench. The in-person session is sold out, but you can stream it live on Facebook.
Posted inHousing & Development
Workbench’s Clocktower Center finds pushback – and support – in second community meeting
At up to 16 stories and 260 units, the Clocktower Center proposed behind downtown Santa Cruz’s town clock is unlike anything seen in Santa Cruz County. However, the vision remains in the nascent stages, and developer Workbench has until September to submit a formal application.
Posted inHousing & Development
Clocktower developer: ‘It’s not possible’ for politics to stop housing project that could rise to nearly 200 feet
Local developer Workbench formally introduced its ambitious proposal for the Clocktower Center to the community in a virtual meeting Wednesday. The 16-story, 260-unit vision for the project would reset the potential development intensity in Santa Cruz County.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz City Council shrinks Food Bin redevelopment before unanimous approval
On paper, developer Workbench received almost everything it applied for with unanimous support in Tuesday’s Santa Cruz City Council vote on the proposed redevelopment of The Food Bin site on Mission Street — the height, (most of) the units, limited parking. However, finer details tell a different story.
Posted inHousing & Development
With few options under California’s new housing reality, Santa Cruz neighbors, city council gird for vote on Food Bin project
Neighbors disagree with the project, and city councilmembers have criticized developer Workbench’s approach to the five-story, 59-unit redevelopment of the Food Bin. But neither is likely to stand in the way of the project in California’s new era of state-mandated housing development.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘Get real’: City council, neighbors blast Food Bin developer, postpone vote on project
Tensions continue to flare over a proposed redevelopment of the Food Bin property on Mission Street, a project widely viewed as a sign of a rapidly changing Santa Cruz. On Tuesday, the city council postponed its decision on the project until May 28.
Posted inHousing & Development
An 18-story building proposed downtown promises to be a project ‘Santa Cruz has never seen’
Clocktower Center would reach 192 feet, towering over all existing and proposed buildings in the city of Santa Cruz.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘Peace Village’, a unique 40-unit church project near UCSC, continues to draw community opposition
The project proposed at 900 High St., behind Peace United Church of Christ, has cleared the City of Santa Cruz’s zoning administrator and the planning commission. Yet neighbors continue to oppose it.
