Santa Cruz Changes 91 - 530-548 Ocean Street

The City of Santa Cruz will host a pre-application virtual community meeting tomorrow, May 20, for presentation of a new mixed-use project proposal at 530/542/548 Ocean Street. The concrete Branciforte Creek channel is adjacent to one end of the 3 parcels that will be combined. Four nondescript 2-story commercial buildings will be demolished to make way for the 6-story, 2-building mixed-use project. 

The size and style have become familiar - most of the recent mixed use projects are similar. This one can be compared to the project nearing completion next to Calvary Episcopal Church, on the former parking lot between Cedar Street and Center Street. 

Below the city info is a current Street View image, from approximately the same direction as the architectural rendering above. The City website says:

"Join us for the virtual community meeting to discuss 530, 542, 548 Ocean Street on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM. 

• Webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82500719155 
• Webinar ID: 825 0071 9155
• Telephone option: 669-444-9171

For more information, please visit the calender invite."

Santa Cruz Changes 90 - Other closings (and reopenings)

In addition to The Dolphin restaurant (see previous post), several other long-time Santa Cruz County restaurants have recently closed or changed ownership. Most in the news is the former Mission Street site of Emily's Bakery, which closed after 41 years in business. The new owners have applied for permits to open a [medical] cannabis dispensary there, and there is substantial neighborhood opposition, but it looks like the city will eventually approve the application. The City Council will hear an appeal of the recent Planning Commission approval on May 14, in a public meeting. [5/16 update: the City Council approved, in a 6-1 vote]

Other closings and/or ownership changes in Santa Cruz include Soif Wine Bar & Merchants, on Walnut Avenue, which closed in 2022 and has reopened in 2024 as Hook and Line seafood restaurant. 

The fate of highly-rated Alderwoods seems uncertain after executive chef Jeffrey Wall quit suddenly. That followed the equally-sudden closing last fall. of the restaurant's second location on Pacific Avenue. 

A change of name to Cafe GSC failed to reverse the fortunes of the former Cafe Gratitude, which closed last October after 13 years of serving vegan-friendly fare in Santa Cruz.

Out in the Harvey West neighborhood, what is arguably Santa Cruz' oldest restaurant is for sale: the fate of the venerable Bocci's Cellar is up in the air until a new owner takes over. 

Out in Aptos, Cafe Sparrow is closing after 38 years, and Palapas restaurant is changing ownership and name after 34 years at its Seascape location. The new name will be Dos Pescados, with a similar Mexican seafood theme. If they keep the Palapas margarita recipes, all should be well. 

A shout-out here is in order to Lilli Belli, Lookout Santa Cruz reporter, for keeping us informed of all these changes.

Santa Cruz Changes 89: Dolphin's Demise?

 

City plans to remodel the Santa Cruz Wharf have been in the news repeatedly, and a clear picture of what that will look like has yet to emerge. 

One change, however, is definite: the building that has housed The Dolphin restaurant will soon be demolished. An article in Lookout Santa Cruz has more details.

Damage sustained to wharf supports in December 2023 storms can't be repaired with the current building remaining in place. Demolition of the restaurant building, which is owned by the city, is expected to begin soon, and wharf structural repairs will follow.

What happens after that on the far end of the wharf is very much up in the air. Will The Dolphin return? To find out, we'll have to wait for a final version of the Santa Cruz Wharf Master Plan.