A large mixed-use project has been approved 5-2 by the Santa Cruz City Council. The front street project has been 5 years in the making, and will include retail space below, with 175 condominiums above that….along with a basement and ground-level parking garage, and public plazas. To do that, 3 existing buildings (including 2 historic ones) will need to be demolished so that three 7-story structures can be constructed on the east side of front street (near the San Lorenzo River Levee). Although the city requires that 15 percent of any housing constructed be for low, or very low, income people…..this project only provides 11 percent. The monthly rent for a very-low-income studio apartment in the new buildings is slated to be $963.
