Santa Cruz, CA —
The Architecture & Urban Planning Team of Measure O today made public “The Impacts of Measure O for Our Downtown, Our Future: A Supplemental Report.” The report's principal analyst, Measure O co-chair John Hall said, “we want to make sure the community has full information about Measure O versus the continued pursuit of the Lot 4 proposal. The decision of voters on this measure is going to shape Santa Cruz for decades to come.”

Measure O, on the Santa Cruz city ballot for the November 8 election, proposes completerenovation of the existing Downtown Library, offers permanence on Cedar Street’s Lot 4 to the Downtown Farmers’ Market, and designates 2.47 acres of City-owned parking lots downtown for development of affordable housing above the ground level. It would preclude construction of a 4-level parking structure on Lot 4.

The supplemental impact report addresses topics about Measure O identified by the Santa Cruz City Council. In May, the Council allocated $20,000 for a consultant, and this summer the City contracted with Keyser Marston Associates to analyze impacts. To promote direct comparison of findings, the Measure O supplemental report discusses all topics identified by the City Council. The City Council did not request an analysis of Measure O’s environmental impacts. Hall said, “given the importance of the global climate crisis for all policy decisions, our analysis begins with that topic.”  

In addition to environmental impacts, the Measure O supplemental impact report discusses affordable housing, the Downtown Library, the Downtown Farmers’ Market and public space, parking, housing preferences for workers, issues of fiscal responsibility, and other topics.