Our Downtown • Our Future

01/12/2024

Come explore what Measure M does, what it doesn't do, and how it would affect our city and community. We'll ask tough questions of both the proponents and opponents. And they'll ask each other a question too!

Here is a Zoom link to the forum for Thursday, 1/18 at 7pm.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83640120842

Yes on M [Housing For People] says this measure would increase democracy by securing our right to vote on height, and that it would increase affordable housing.
Learn more by visiting their website: https://www.yes-on-m.org/

No on M [Affordable Housing Advocates Santa Cruz] says this measure will result in less affordable housing, push more housing away from downtown and into neighborhoods, and create costly elections.
Learn more by visiting their website: https://www.affordablehousingadvocatessc.org/

10/10/2023

Scroll through slides and get excited for this conference's three panels.

Register for the event at https://santacruz.eventsmart.com/events/affordable-housing-in-santa-cruz-diverse-perspectives-on-our-crisis/

11/08/2022

Our usable public land downtown is incredibly valuable, dwindling, and highly sought after.

You can verify the opposition's campaign funding here: https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/developer-funding

It is clear big-development doesn't want the community deciding what our land is used for.

YES on Measure O ensures that as we go through an intense redevelopment period, our publicly-owned land is used for affordable housing and public spaces.

The City won't be allowed to subsidize parking for developers or sell our land for uses like luxury hotels — currently planned for three properties in Measure O.

Vote Yes on O by Tuesday the 8th. Polls close at 8pm. We hope you'll join us in this crucial step toward stabilizing our future here in Santa Cruz!

11/07/2022

Measure O is far from a NIMBY measure; it's more a sweeping “Yes in our backyard” sentiment as any in our local history.

Some of Measure O's lots are smaller than others, and how nice to have the potential for reasonably sized affordable housing projects, not just large. We get both/and with Measure O.

To check the facts on housing for the City's proposal and Measure O, visit our housing fact check page here: https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/housing-fact-check

11/07/2022

When confronted with the facts at a public forum the "no" campaign's spokesperson has to admit the City's project is not 'a bird in the hand.' https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/ready-to-go

It's actually VERY far from 'ready-to-go'. Their campaign is chock full of untruths.

It's time for the City to let go of their problematic plan. Renovate our library and build more affordable housing on City-owned, Lot 7 (on Front St)!

11/04/2022

There are a lot of claims being made by those against Measure O. But the facts are simple. Measure O ensures our publicly owned land and our funds are used for the public good. For the truth and the facts, visit https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/

11/02/2022

Be in the know about Measure O. Check out our last newsletter before the election! https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/so/0fOGqnpiz?languageTag=en&cid=5432d10d-382f-435e-9cfe-a8fd7058a097 #/main

10/31/2022

Repeating things over and over can be mesmerizing, and research shows it can actually make us believe things.

But no matter how many times I try to find that bird in my hand, it's just still not there.

We've checked the facts and made them available to you!
https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/fact-check-1

10/24/2022

Come learn about this important Measure that gives the opportunity to decide how our public land is used downtown. What we develop matters. Where things are and how that's decided matters. Community-centered urban planning matters. That is the heart of Measure O.

A model of downtown showing our physical options will be present at the in-person event. Come explore it for yourself.

Join via zoom from the comfort of your home Thursday night at 7pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86056953788

10/22/2022

This is an EMERGENCY! We have less than a week to respond to the city posting of cutting permits on the Farmers Market lot trees. These heritage trees are an icon of downtown and important to the urban environment. Please fill out this form and show your support to protect these trees.

Please complete this form to express your opposition to the city permits posted 10/18/22 to cut down ALL the trees on the farmers market lot 4. The permit was posted with an appeal date of 10/28/22 despite the fact that the Measure O ballot may invalidate the need once the Nov 8 votes are counted. W...

10/19/2022

Be in the know about Measure O. Check out our 5th newsletter! https://www.ourdowntownourfuture.org/so/08OFQAsxM?languageTag=en&cid=5432d10d-382f-435e-9cfe-a8fd7058a097 #/main

10/16/2022

Seriously. Right now we can't afford the carbon ... "There has to be an enormous, critical reason to build a new building in the next five to 10 years. We ought to find every way possible to create longer use of what we’ve already built and adaptively reuse the built environment that we own, rather than build a new one, because right now we can’t afford the carbon."

https://commonedge.org/bob-berkebile-that-was-the-brilliance-of-leed-it-included-everyone-in-the-conversation/

A talk with one of the pioneers of the green building movement.