By Jondi Gumz
Can Capitola’s historic Wharf be built back better? Yes it can, thanks to diligent fundraising by the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project team, which promised to raise $250,000 for amenities and actually raised $342,000.
Gerry Jensen (left), who leads the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project, and Gayle Ortiz, co-owner of Gayle’s Bakery, who is raising money for the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project.
“The community is absolutely amazing in their support,” said Gerry Jensen of CWEP, who hopes to receive $400,000 before the campaign closes.
“It was important to us because our community spoke,” said Christine McBroom, CWEP volunteer. “We’ve all worked countless hours.”
The campaign to pay for lighting fixtures, permanent artwork, viewing stations, and sturdy benches, tables and trash receptacles ends Jan. 15.
This project is in coordination with the city efforts to restore the wharf, founded in 1857 and broken in two during an epic storm in January — an $8.2 million project so far, contracted to Cushman of Santa Barbara.
Mayor Margaux Keiser recalled the loss of the wharf: “It was probably the worst thing that could have happened my first week as mayor.”
She was grateful for so much community support: “Young, old, visitors, residents, this affected so many … not enough gratitude can be put out there.”
In a unanimous vote Dec. 14, the Capitola City Council voted to:
- Evaluate a redesigned entry gate and fixtures proposed by CWEP.
- Hire artists Kathleen Crocetti for $41,000 to create mosaics for the entry gate and Sean Monaghan for $28,000 to create bronze sea life sculptures for a scavenger hunt in the wharf decking to educate youth. This work could take six months or more.
- Allocate $250,000 from city funds for unfunded items, such as the $125,000 cost of installing components, the $70,000 entry gate and the Wharf Road entry pillar, $25,000, additional bronze pieces from Stockton Bridge to the Wharf, $25,000, and additional bike racks, $5,000.
- Amend Cushman’s contract to install CWEP components.
- Hold $75,000 in CWEP funding to pursue a lifeguard storage facility once the Wharf rebuild is complete.
“I’m 1000% in support,” Keiser said.
Rendering of redesigned entry gate to Capitola Wharf
The entry gate designed by RRM would require refabrication, an extra expense. The revamped design, too late to be in the agenda packet but presented at the meeting, will allow for donor recognition.
Gayle Ortiz of CWEP said, “We’re OK with whatever the design is.”
Janet Romanowski, a real estate agent, voiced her support, saying, “I’m committed to making this happen.”
David Peyton of the Capitola Historical Museum board said the museum is selling a calendar to raise money for the wharf amenities.
Wharf Resiliency Phase 2 was budgeted at $8.9 million. Then the state Office of Emergency Services allocated an additional $500,000, bringing the total to $9.4 million.
The successful bid was $7.7 million and change orders brought the contract to $8.2 million.
This leaves $1.2 million, $750,000 in the General Fund and $450,000 in Measure F funds. W ork has yet to begin on the broken span of the Wharf, which mean expenses may rise.
As for the wharf sign, CWEP has secured a private funding source. The design will be integrated into the design work for other signs on the Wharf.
CWEP is proposes to build a fish cleaning station through volunteer efforts. Cost estimate: $10,000.
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To support the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project, see https://capitolavillage.com/wharf