Frequently Asked Questions

Library and Current Structures

Why is the library moving from its existing downtown location?

The existing location of the Downtown Library has numerous problems including non-compliance with ADA requirements; the presence of asbestos in many areas; operational failures (plumbing, elevator, etc.); upcoming need for roof replacement; inadequate facilities (bathrooms, lighting, study spaces, etc.); small and isolated children’s space; no dedicated teen space; and building expansion limited by seismic code requirements, as determined by the Downtown Library Advisory Committee.

Full renovation was deemed too expensive, and partial renovation deemed as a poor use of voter-approved construction funds. The existing location has also been identified as a potential future location for affordable housing, community spaces and a permanent home for the Farmers’ Market.

What will happen to the existing Downtown Library location?

City Council directed staff to initiate a public process for potential reuse of the current library site, including affordable housing, a community commons and other public uses. The Library Site Re-Use Visioning Process included meetings with nine community stakeholder groups, four neighborhood stakeholder groups, two community workshops, and a community survey that received 720 responses. The results of the Visioning Process indicated a strong preference for a significant portion of the site to incorporate affordable housing, as well as strong interest in downtown-focused open space that could include a combination of plaza and park spaces supporting the Farmers’ Market. Ground floor uses in a potential multi-story housing project should also be focused on community needs, rather than commercial development.

What will happen with the Toadal Fitness site? 

The City and the owner of Toadal Fitness have been working together for several years on a plan for Toadal Fitness to expand its current footprint into a new space within the new Downtown Library and Affordable Housing Project. In April 2024, the City and Toadal Fitness reached an agreement that the City would purchase the downtown building for $2.5 million. The property, at 113 Lincoln St., will be demolished to make room for the Project.

The gym will relocate to 716 Ocean St. in Fall 2024, and no downtime is anticipated between the closure of the old building and the opening of the new location. Toadal Fitness also has right of first refusal to a new 8,000-square-foot commercial space with the Project, which is expected to be completed in 2027.

What will happen to the Farmers’ Market that is currently located at the project site?

The Downtown Farmers’ Market will remain Downtown. The City considers the Downtown Farmers’ Market to be an important partner in activating and helping provide long-term sustainability Downtown. The City has been working in partnership with the Downtown Farmers’ Market for several years to identify and support establishing a permanent location for the market, a move supported by the Farmers’ Market. The new short-term home for the Farmers’ Market will be the parking lot next to the current downtown library branch (known as Lot 16) along with a portion of Church and Cedar streets, which would be closed to traffic during market hours. The City and the Downtown Farmers’ Market are continuing to collaborate to identify a new permanent home for the weekly market.

Affordable Housing

How much affordable housing is included in the project?

The City Council directed that the project has a minimum of 50 affordable housing units. Following the selection of the affordable housing developer team, the City announced the goal would be at least 100, with the majority to be reserved for extremely low and very-low-income residents. Currently the design submitted for pre-application includes 124 units of varying sizes (1BD, 2BD, & 3BD units).

Open Spaces and Trees

Will there be open space available in the project?

Over 1/3 of an acre of residential open space will be included in the project, including a "tot lot" with a play structure, a teen courtyard with ping pong tables and shuffleboard, two separate community meeting spaces, a podium garden area, a raised-bed vegetable garden, and numerous patios, walkways and private courtyards for residents.

What will happen to the existing trees on the project site?

The existing 12 trees will be removed and replaced with 14 new trees at the project site, as well as an additional 12 new trees to be planted in the City of Santa Cruz. The existing 12 trees have been evaluated by two expert arborists, including the arborist for the City of Santa Cruz and an independent arborist, as well as by the two architect teams that are responsible for the project.

The footprint for the project covers an area that includes all 12 trees, nine of which are designated as “heritage” status. All 12 trees are non-native, and each tree displays an array of adverse health conditions. Detrimental conditions observed include restricted growing areas; severe pruning; structural weaknesses and evidence of past failures; limb and stem decay; and the presence of buried root collars, which may disguise root disease and resulting decay. A tree removal permit was granted for the project.

Has the City considered saving some of the trees, such as the two liquidambars that are located along the sidewalk or one of the magnolia trees?

Retention of the trees in question would require the footprint of the project to be moved east, which would have a dramatic and negative impact on the affordable housing component of the project because the number of units would be significantly reduced. There would also be a detrimental impact to the library layout and planned programming for the public. In addition, modifying the existing design to accommodate the trees would require significant additional funding, estimated to be more than $1.5 million. It would also not meet program goals including library size, amenities and number of affordable housing units. In addition, it would set the project back at least a year as critical funding deadlines would be missed while the project scope is reduced and redesigned.

Childcare Center

What will the childcare center be like?

Quality, affordable childcare is essential for working families. The planned childcare center will be approximately 1,905 square feet with its own separate entrance and enclosed outdoor play area.

Who will run the childcare center?

The developer has been consulting with the Child and Family Development Programs operated by Encompass Community Services, which include Early Head Start (children ages 1-3) and Head Start (children ages 3-5).

How many children, and what age range, will be able to attend the childcare center?

The facility will be able to accommodate up to 18 children at a time, ages 12 months to 5 years. Capacity may vary depending on the ages of the children.

How much outdoor space will be available for the children?

Final square footage has not been determined, though the goal is to maximize the amount of space available within applicable state regulations.

Parking

How many parking spaces will be added to the downtown district through the project?

The parking component includes 235 parking spaces (reduced from 400 previously), including 25 level 2 EV charging stations, that consolidates current surface parking lots and results in a net decrease in parking spaces in Downtown Santa Cruz.

What is the bike parking like? Will it accommodate larger bikes?

The project includes approximately 258 bicycle parking spaces, including varying sizes, bike lockers and e-bike charging. Class 2 stalls are provided on three sides of the garage with easy access to surrounding streets. Newly designed larger bike lockers as well as some Class 1 stalls, which accommodate larger bikes, will also be included.

We will be continually updating this page - please check back for new FAQS. Updated 6/27/24