March 21, 2025

Murray Street Bridge Westbound Lane Closure Begins March 24

Beginning Monday, March 24, 2025, the westbound lane of the Murray Street Bridge will be closed for vehicles and bicycles to allow essential work to begin on the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Replacement Project. The westbound lane will remain closed until the project is completed in January 2028. The eastbound lane will remain open for vehicles and bicycles. Two-way pedestrian access across the bridge will remain open. 

Traffic Detours 

Vehicles will be detoured around the bridge closure through Soquel Ave. via Seabright Ave. and 7th Ave. Bicycles will be detoured across Arana Gulch/Broadway via Seabright Ave. and 7th Ave. View the detour map for full details.

The City is actively coordinating with county officials to help mitigate traffic impacts related to detours and is working towards reducing traffic impacts as much as possible during the project. 

Sign Up for Project Emails

The City will provide regular updates about the Murray Street Bridge Project. Visit the project website at cityofsantacruz.com/msb to stay informed and sign up to receive email updates. Follow the City of Santa Cruz Public Works on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected to project news. 

Downtown Business Owners and Employees Attend De-escalation Training

More than 20 Downtown employees and business owners attended the Downtown Employee De-escalation Training hosted by the Santa Cruz Downtown Association and Economic Development and Housing Department. Presenters included:

• ·  Operations Manager Lily Perry, Encompass Community Services.
• · Operations Division and Downtown Liaison Lt. Carter Jones, Santa Cruz Police Department.
• ·  City Councilmember and Director of Operations of the Downtown Association, Sonja Brunner.

Attendees learned about the Downtown safety resource network, de-escalation techniques, and resources available when specific situations arise. The event was engaging and well received, with many submitting questions beforehand for presenters to answer.

Yes, new housing in the City of Santa Cruz is meeting goals!

Check out the Community Voices Article by Matt Huffaker and Bonnie Lipscomb

"Santa Cruz has made substantial progress in building and maintaining affordable housing. Every 100% affordable housing project developed in recent years has been built with strict affordability requirements and monitored annually.

The most recently completed projects demonstrate that: 

-Cedar Street Apartments: 100% leased (65 affordable units). 

-Natural Bridges Apartments: 100% leased (20 affordable units). 

-Riverwalk Apartments: 100% leased (21 affordable units).

-Water Street Apartments: 98% leased, with one vacancy currently in final processing for a project-based voucher through the county housing authority (41 affordable units).

-Pacific Station South: 94% leased with the remaining four tenants in the final verification process (69 affordable units). 

Santa Cruz's newest affordable housing developments are not only full but operating as intended — providing homes for individuals and families who qualify under affordable housing guidelines."

Apply for a Special Events Grant to

Receive Up to $2,500

Applications are open for the Special Event Grant Program for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).

Grants offer up to $2,500 to support events that enhance Santa Cruz’s vibrancy and community well-being.

To be eligible to receive a grant, events must be held in Santa Cruz city limits, be previously held or newly established, and comply with City policies. Applicants must be Santa Cruz-based or demonstrate clear community benefits for the Santa Cruz community.

Apply by April 16. Awards will be announced on June 2.

Santa Cruz Pride is a previous recipient of a City of Santa Cruz Special Event Grant.

Upcoming Traffic Impact Announced for Santa Cruz Classic Criterium

The 56th Santa Cruz Classic Criterium will take place on Sunday, March 23rd. Roads will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The course is a circuit of closed roads on and north of Beach Hill, starting and finishing on Third Street and utilizing Front, Spruce, and the Laurel Extension along the San Lorenzo River.

Please pay attention to the road closures and plan your travels accordingly.

Community Meeting Announcement:

525 Water Street

Join us for a virtual community meeting about a proposed 100% affordable housing development at 525 Water Street. This six-story mixed-use project would include approximately 94 affordable housing units, ground-floor commercial space, and on-site parking.

Date: March 26, 2025

Time: 6 – 7:30 PM

Where: Online (Zoom)

Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89963471991

Call-in: +1 669 444 9171 | Webinar ID: 899 6347 1991



This meeting is an opportunity for community members to ask questions, provide input, and learn more about the project. If you can’t attend live, a recording will be posted on the City’s website after the meeting.

Attend the Transportation and Public Works Commission Open House on March 24 

The Santa Cruz Public Works Department invites community members to learn about current and upcoming public works projects in our city on March 24 from 6-8 p.m. at Holy Cross Hall (170 High St., Santa Cruz).

Meet City staff, engage with Transportation and Public Works Commissioners, and review the following projects (click the links below for more information).

Active Transportation Plan  

Bay Street Protected Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Path 

Coastal Rail Trail 

Master Recycler Volunteer Training Program 

Murray Street Bridge 

Parking Garage Solar Installation 

Resource Recovery Facility

Enclosed Flare Installation 

Stormwater Projects 

Wastewater Treatment Facility Projects 

Join the Youth and Family Town Hall!

The City of Santa Cruz wants to hear from you! Join us for a Youth and Family Town Hall on March 24 from 5-6:15 p.m. at the London Nelson Community Center to share your thoughts on the programs, services, and resources that matter most to young people in our community.

We want to know:

• What’s working?
• What programs or services do you value most?
• Are there resources or opportunities you wish were available?

This is your chance to help shape the future of youth services in Santa Cruz. Your voice matters — share your ideas!

SCPD, AB 481

Community Meeting to be Held on March 27

In accordance with AB 481, the Santa Cruz Police will host an online community meeting to discuss and answer your questions about military equipment used by the department.

The virtual meeting will start with a brief presentation about AB 481 and a summary of our equipment. Then, you will have an opportunity to speak with Santa Cruz Police staff and ask any questions you may have.

To submit questions ahead of time, please email cbrothers@santacruzca.gov.

Date: March 27, 2025

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Where: Online (Zoom)

Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83628915901

Call-in: +16694449171,,83628915901# US





City of Santa Cruz

City Manager's Office

809 Center Street

Santa Cruz CA 95060

santacruzca.gov

831-420-5010