The City should transform this downtown area into an attractive multi-purpose, public place where people can relax, gather and attend a regular schedule of small community events.

Daily Student Gathering – Safe And Regular Customers of Walgreens and Starbucks

Uncertain Future

• This area has the great potential of becoming the ONLY inviting public place on Santa Cruz Avenue between El Camino and University Avenue.
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• City Mayor Drew Combs has asked the Council to reconsider the existing street closure, and the Council has agreed to schedule this decision before June 10, 2025
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• The existing public area would be narrowed about four feet if a vehicle lane replaced the bike lane. The planned removal of the outdoor dining area in front of Walgreens will extend the length by about 30 feet. (Net dimensions: 102′ L x 17′ W)

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 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 his 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.
  

Poor Existing Condition

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 on Santa Cruz within downtown, e.g., between University and El Camino.
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• The area is popular with Hillview Middle School students who gather there after school and on weekends. Adults also use it to enjoy coffee and food, chat, read, and use computers whenever the weather is favorable.
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• When a resident polled Santa Cruz businesses after the pandemic, a large majority said they wanted the vehicle lane reopened. However, none have provided any concrete evidence their businesses have been materially harmed. Retailers in general oppose street and lane closures, but most Peninsula have invested in them because residents strongly supported them.
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• The Council has made NO genuine effort to determine whether our community wants to keep the vehicle lane closed and transform this unkept public area into an appealing multi-use, community asset.
  
• The Left Bank, Bistro Vida, Walgreens, Tilak and Starbucks all claim they benefit from being next to the public area.
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• Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City, San Carlos and Burlingame have either built or are creating central public spaces in their downtowns.
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Potential Future

The 600-Block Plaza needs to be an attractive, professionally designed space equipped with features would transform this area into a landmark inviting place for City residents and visitors. The design is not a public works project.

• A people-friendly layout
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• A level, durable and stain-proof surface, e.g. stone, artificial deck material, easily accessed from the sidewalk
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• A suitable mix of seating, e.g., picnic, 4-person round tables, using commercial quality street furniture.
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• Attractive indirect and overhead lighting, not typical street lighting.
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• A separate designated area for parking bikes.
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• A raised platform for public events, e.g., music, speakers
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• A new mid-block crosswalk (with stop signs) between the opposite sidewalk and the public area. 
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• An attractive, seat-level wall that physically and visually separates the plaza from either the bike or vehicle lane. The wall can double as seating and low voltage, wall-mounted downlights can illuminate the plaza surface.
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• Removable, 6-inch, diameter metal safety poles at the Curtis Street entrance to the bike parking area. 
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• No flowers as these are difficult to maintain; no trees as umbrellas provide sufficient shade
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• Sufficient number of attractive trash bins emptied every day.
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• Other potential amenities: (a) soothing water feature, (b) small outdoor speakers (c) soothing music, (d) holiday displays (e) water drinking fountain (f) City Council public notice display
  
  

Potential Layout

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