City of Santa Cruz Government News

City of Santa Cruz

Sea Lion Plaque Returned

01/15/2025
Following a public appeal, the interpretive plaque stolen from the wreckage of the collapsed Santa Cruz Wharf has been returned. Read on for more information.

Land Use & Development Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf Rebuild Decision by April

01/15/2025
In their January 14 meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council heard an update of information about the collapse of 150 feet of the Santa Cruz Wharf and that a determination on how to proceed would be made in April. Read on to learn more about the options under consideration.

Business, Economy & Jobs Health City of Santa Cruz

Home Care Workers Union Ratifies Wage Agreement

01/14/2025
Service Employees International Union Local 2015 has ratified an agreement with Santa Cruz County boosting the wages of in-home and long-term care workers. Read on for details.

Land Use & Development Housing City of Santa Cruz

6-Story Apartment Complex Approved on Water Street in Santa Cruz

01/13/2025
Image for display with article titled 6-Story Apartment Complex Approved on Water Street in Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Jan. 9 unanimously approved plans for a six-story, 83-unit apartment building on the 900 block of Water Street in Santa Cruz.
The new homes would be less than a block away from a five-story building at 831 Water St. approved in December.

Land Use & Development City of Santa Cruz

Battery Storage Project Planned Near Watsonville

01/13/2025
Read on to learn more about a $200 million battery energy storage system planned for development near Watsonville.

Elections & Politics City of Santa Cruz

Reflections of Former Councilmember Sandy Brown

01/13/2025
Former Santa Cruz City Councilmember Sandy Brown looks back on her terms of office with the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Read on to learn her thoughts.

Elections & Politics City of Santa Cruz

Martine Watkins Looks Back at Santa Cruz City Council Terms

01/11/2025
The Santa Cruz Sentinel sat down with former Santa Cruz City Councilmember Martine Eatkins for her thoughts on two terms on the council. Read on to learn what she has to say.

Land Use & Development Sustainability Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Decades of Santa Cruz Wharf Repair Backlog Contributed to Vulnerability

01/10/2025
Image for display with article titled Decades of Santa Cruz Wharf Repair Backlog Contributed to Vulnerability

A decision to rebuild the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is not expected for months, after detailed engineering work is done.

Land Use & Development Transportation City of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission The Santa Cruz Rail Trail

Santa Cruz County Rail Trail Receives Federal Funds

01/10/2025
Learn about how the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission plans to utilize the $19.5 million in federal funds to continue work on the rail trail.

Land Use & Development Sustainability Resilience City of Santa Cruz State of California

State Money Sought for $45 Million in Damage to Santa Cruz Wharf, Harbor

01/09/2025
Image for display with article titled State Money Sought for $45 Million in Damage to Santa Cruz Wharf, Harbor

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to ratify an emergency proclamation to unlock state money for repairs on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and parts of the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor damaged by large surf on Dec. 23.

Environment Land Use & Development City of Santa Cruz

Public Comment Open for Santa Cruz Downtown Plan

01/08/2025
Public comment is open on the environmental impact report for the Santa Cruz Downtown Plan Expansion. Read on to learn how you can access and comment on the draft report.

From The Pajaronian...

Public Safety Land Use & Development Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf Reopens

01/07/2025
Image for display with article titled Santa Cruz Wharf Reopens

About 150 people attended a brief ceremony Saturday morning hosted by Santa Cruz City officials to kick open the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf after it was closed Dec. 23 due to heavy surf damage.

From The Pajaronian...

Public Safety Parks & Recreation City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf to Reopen Saturday

01/03/2025
Image for display with article titled Santa Cruz Wharf to Reopen Saturday

About two weeks after heavy surf damaged the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, forcing its closure and all the businesses there, the city will host a reopening on Jan. 4.

Transportation Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Contractor Selected for Murray Street Bridge Project

01/01/2025
Now that a contract has been awarded for the Murray Street Bridge earthquake retrofit in Santa Cruz, a spring 2025 groundbreaking is expected for the $45 million project. Read on to learn more.

City of Santa Cruz NAACP Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz to Host MLK Parade

12/31/2024
Learn more about the Santa Cruz County NAACP Branch commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march down Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz and a resource fair at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium on January 20.

From Local News Matters...

Land Use & Development Water Sustainability Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Questions Raised About Santa Cruz Wharf Collapse

12/30/2024
Following the collapse of a 150 foot section of the Santa Cruz Wharf, questions about contributing factors are raised. Who or what is to blame? Read on to learn more.

Crime & Justice City of Santa Cruz

City Officials Warn of Fundraising Scam Following Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf Collapse

12/30/2024
City officials in Santa Cruz say swindlers claiming to represent businesses on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf are soliciting donations following the structure’s partial collapse. “This is a scam,” officials said on social media Saturday.

Public Safety Parks & Recreation Water Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Lifeguards Recount Wharf Collapse Rescue

12/28/2024
An after-action interview with City of Santa Cruz lifeguards Isaiah Mullen and Sam Hofmann following their rescue of two construction workers when the end of the wharf collapsed.

Water Resilience City of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Port District

Santa Cruz Harbor Damages Top $20 Million

12/27/2024
The damage assessment is still under way and have so far amounted to $20 million following the December 23 storm surge which smashed into the Santa Cruz Harbor, sinking several moored vessels. Read on to learn more.

Public Safety Land Use & Development Parks & Recreation Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf Structural Assessment Required

12/27/2024
The mayor and city manager of Santa Cruz held a December 27 press conference and provided details about damage to the wharf, noting that a structural assessment would be required to determine when and if it would be safe to reopen. Read to learn more.

Land Use & Development Transportation City of Santa Cruz

Give Your Feedback on West Cliff Drive Roadmap

12/26/2024
Read on to learn how you can give your feedback on the City of Santa Cruz 5-year West Cliff Roadmap.

From The Pajaronian...

Public Safety Land Use & Development Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf to Remain Closed After Damage

12/25/2024
Image for display with article titled Santa Cruz Wharf to Remain Closed After Damage

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf will remain closed indefinitely after waves on Monday sheared off a 125-foot section that was already closed and under construction from storm damage in 2023.

Public Safety Land Use & Development Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Wharf to Remain Closed

12/24/2024
There is no estimate in when the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf will be reopened. Read on for the latest update on the partial collapse and next steps.

Public Safety Water Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Takes Stock of Damage

12/24/2024
Learn more about how officials describe the damage from ocean swells to the municipal wharf and harbor.

Resilience City of Santa Cruz

Search For Mother’s Memorial Bench Underway

12/24/2024
A daughter is working to recover her mother's memorial bench which was on collapsed wharf.

Transportation City of Santa Cruz

West Cliff Rebuilding Update

12/19/2024
Two-way traffic is set to resume on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Read on for more information about the 2-year effort to repair the storm-damaged road and beloved seaside walkway.

Land Use & Development Housing City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Clocktower Center Development Plans Updated

12/16/2024
Plans for the proposed Clocktower Center in Santa Cruz have been updated and reduced in size. Read on to learn why critics say it still doesn't address concerns.

Elections & Politics City of Santa Cruz

New Santa Cruz City Council Members Welcomed

12/11/2024
In the December 10 meeting of the Santa Cruz City Council, newly elected members Susie O'Hara and Gabriela Trigueiro were sworn in. Read on to learn more about them and what's ahead.

Land Use & Development City of Santa Cruz City of Scotts Valley

Scotts Valley Town Center Project Advances With Land Purchase

12/05/2024
In their December 4 meeting, the Scotts Valley City Council approved the purchase of the former Skypark Airport from the City of Santa Cruz. Read on to learn what's next for the Town Center project.