Get an update on the West Cliff restoration work in our community update video. Learn about our team's ongoing work, from traffic improvements and funding efforts to long-term visioning. Join us as we navigate challenges and shape a resilient future for our beloved coastline.

Watch now to stay connected!

🚦Transportation and Public Works Commission

The Transportation and Public Works Commission (TPWC) will meet on August 21st. Here is what's on the agenda:

1. Transportation Data Update:

Discover findings from WCD data collection, giving insights into our transportation landscape.

2. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Toolkit:

Updates on the Traffic Calming Toolkit, originating from WCD but with Citywide benefits. TPWC's recommendation to Council will shape safer streets for all.

Neighborhood Transportation: August & September

August Highlights:

• Intersection Improvements at Pelton/Woodrow were installed
• Alta cul-de-sac and signage are now in place
• Traffic Calming Ahead: Intersection improvements to Almar/Delaware coming in the next two-weeks

September Preview:

• Pelton & Delaware Upgrades: Traffic Calming is coming to Pelton (between Woodrow and Columbia) and Delaware (between Woodrow and Almar), reflecting your input from our outreach efforts. Contractor selection is underway.
• City Council Meeting, Sept 26: Recommendation on next steps for transportation in the study area and adoption of the Traffic Calming Toolkit. 

Stay tuned for more progress!

Capital Investment Program (CIP) Projects:

Three types of permanent repair projects are contemplated, including replacement of lost rip-rap, targeted construction of infill walls at acute erosion points, and potentially full reconstruction and elevation of the roadway at Bethany Culvert location. Due to a number of factors such as funding sources - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), timelines to design repairs, and size and type of project, the various projects are currently grouped into the following packages.  

🧱 Infill Walls  

• Located at 920, 932, 1016, and 1030 West Cliff Drive.  
• Estimated Cost: $5,000,000 
• Confirmed Funding: FHWA funds 88.53% 
• Status: No bids received during initial bidding process in July. Staff are currently negotiating pricing, schedule, and other terms with several general contractors.  
• Estimated Completion: Winter - Spring 2024 

🚧 Bethany Curve Culvert 

• Estimated Cost: $10,000,000 
• Anticipated Funding: FHWA funds 88.53%. Strong indication that funding will be approved. Currently revising project documentation to resubmit to FHWA staff. 
• Status: Request council authorization to bid August 22, 2023. Design is still in development and will be refined in parallel to bidding process. 
• Estimated Completion: Summer 2024 

🛡️ Armoring/Rip-rap Repair  

• Various locations 
• Estimated Cost: $2,000,000 
• Anticipated Funding: FEMA funds 93%. 8/11/23-submitted engineering report and updated cost estimates to FEMA for review. 
• Status: In August- Develop procurement documentation for designer and geotechnical engineer. 
• Estimated Completion: Summer 2024 

Strategy and Planning

🌊 Beaches and Bluffs Update

Staff is continuing to work on the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Update, including the new Beaches and Bluffs Hazards and Adaptation chapter, and staff is coordinating with the local Coastal Commission on the LCP Update. 

📚Council Study Session



On August 15, 2023 City staff including Tiffany Wise-West, Nathan Nguyen, and consultants Farallon Strategies, presented a study session for City Council and the community about understanding the dynamic coast. The team provided an overview of the dynamic Santa Cruz coastline, including the usefulness of adaptive management strategies to guide decision making.

Councilmembers participated in a brief activity to visualize the future of the Santa Cruz coastline in the next 50-years. Click here to view the study session!

Three-year Post-recovery Roadmap + 50-year Vision

 

Farallon Strategies, together with City staff, meticulously assessed and ranked projects outlined in the "A Resilient West Cliff, Accessible to All Roadmap" (Roadmap). The Roadmap's aim is to craft a collective narrative for West Cliff by aligning policies to prioritized projects during the post-disaster period (0-3 years). The revised Roadmap, now enriched with input from the community, City Council, and staff, is available for review here. The team accomplished this by harnessing existing municipal resources (plans and staff expertise) and aligning them with available resources (state, federal, local, and philanthropic) to guide the City away from the aftermath of the January 2023 storm damage and disasters, leading towards a resilient West Cliff that is open and accessible to all. After receiving input on the first draft of Roadmap, Farallon Strategies incorporated feedback and produced the revised version. 

With City staff, Farallon Strategies has scheduled forthcoming autumn engagement events to collaborate with the community in crafting a 50-year vision for West Cliff. 

The City Manager's Office, in conjunction with Farallon Strategies, has established a framework for a focus group of community representatives and two City staff representatives. This group will provide an additional layer of feedback on the 50-year vision, supplementing the outreach events slated for the fall.