Christmas Display 2023 –  Courtesy of Ali El Safy (Bistro Vida)

Uncertain Future

This public area has great potential of becoming the ONLY inviting public place on Santa Cruz Avenue between El Camino and University Avenue.

The City Council will review the 600 block lane closure during its annual priority-setting session in March 2025.
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My Recommendation: Make it a permanent inviting public place, perhaps a level plaza with attractive features..

History

• This public space was created as a temporary public area during the pandemic in the summer of 2020 when the City boosted outdoor dining areas and wanted to increase bicyclist safety on Santa Cruz Avenue.
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• In 2023, the city council reviewed the lane closure and and decided to continue it with a 4-1 vote. (Note: the City declared it legally permanent).
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• Ali El Safy, the owner of Bistro Vida, has graciously provided the wooden picnic tables and umbrellas at his own expense, and employees clean the area six days a week. He has also planted flowers and installed Christmas decorations.
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• No individual in the city is responsible for the design, implementation and overall management of this area.
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• Orphaned by the City, this remains unattractive, the seating is uncomfortable, and all features are generally either in poor condition or stained, especially the surface area. (See photos at bottom of this page)

Current Situation

• This area is the only public place with seating in downtown between University and El Camino.
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• The area is popular with Hillview Middle School students who gather after school and on weekends. Adults enjoy coffee and food, chat, read, and use their computers whenever the weather is favorable.
  
• The Left Bank, Bistro Vida, Walgreens, Tilak and Starbucks all claim they benefit from being next to the public area.
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• A recent (?) informal survey conducted by an opponent of the lane closure (Alex Beltramo) indicated a large majority of Santa Cruz businesses want the lane reopened. However, none have provided evidence their businesses have been materially harmed, and residents have not been polled.
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• Every city that closes downtown streets to create inviting public places receives some pushback from nearby businesses, especially those adjacent to the closures. However, resident interests have prevailed, and many businesses actually appreciate new public places once these are built.
  
• The current city Mayer, Drew Combs, has asked that the Council to once again reconsider the closure, and the Council has agreed to revisit it in March during the Council’s annual strategic priority setting for next year.

Potential Future

• A small number of affordable improvements would transform this area into a landmark inviting place for City residents and visitors.
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  > Professional overall design
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  > Commercial quality furniture that replaces worn wood picnic tables
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  > Attractive planter-type barriers that replace existing ugly street barriers
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  > Attractive hardscape surface leveled with sidewalk
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  .> Bike parking moved around the corner to Curtis
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  > Attractive lighting
  

Poor Existing Condition

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