Santa Cruz Sentinel

Local News

Subscribe

Plaza plans hit new obstacle

SANTA CRUZ — Downtown merchants slowed experimental plans for a plaza that would close a portion of Pacific Avenue.

Nearly a dozen business owners on Friday turned out for a meeting of the Downtown Plaza Committee, which was expected to recommend a plaza site to the City Council. The group objected to any closure of Pacific Avenue and criticized the committee for moving forward without considering the impact to mom-and-pop merchants.

"These people have their life savings tied up in these businesses," said David Plumlee, president of the Downtown Association and owner of Nelson and Plumlee’s Flowers. "You are taking a risk at their expense."

Plaza designer Bob Fish began the discussion optimistically, but he grew frustrated with the opposition and withdrew his proposal halfway through the two-hour meeting.

"I don’t think the plaza controversy is worth it," said Fish, a committee member who thought his idea had "broad support."

Rather than urging to give the plaza a trial run, the committee voted to recommend the council form a task force to study the impacts of closing a small stretch of Pacific Avenue between Church and Cooper streets for a plaza.

The motion, made by Michael Schmidt, passed with a 5-to-2 vote. Schmidt, former chief executive officer of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce who is running for county supervisor, opposed his own motion. Also opposed was Jesse Nickell of Barry Swenson Builders.

"I think we missed the boat," Nickell said, echoing comments from others who agreed the plaza should have been planned during the downtown rebuilding after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Proponents say a plaza would bring character to the downtown and create a community atmosphere that isn’t possible with vehicle traffic.

"Anything that is worth having is worth waiting for," said committee member and council member Mark Primack. "It doesn’t need to be the final location but a little laboratory to see whether Santa Cruz actually needs a plaza, or knows how to use one."

The committee, which was convened nearly two years ago, had four new members at Friday’s meeting. Previous members resigned abruptly when the Rittenhouse property at Church Street and Pacific Avenue was ruled out as a possible plaza site. The council in May approved plans for an office/retail building on the property, owned by Louis Rittenhouse.

The committee’s recommendation, which will go to the City Council on July 24, will form a task force of public works and public safety staff, as well as merchants and others who will evaluate the traffic, pedestrian and financial impacts of closing the portion of Pacific Avenue from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The street will not be closed prior to completing the study, which will be presented at a public hearing before being returned to the City Council.

Contact Marina Malikoff at mmalikoff@santa-cruz.com.

Subscribe