By Jondi Gumz
In October, when Caroline’s owner Christy Licker was struck by a car while in the crosswalk on Trout Gulch Road, one challenging aspect for people on foot was how to tell if cars were approaching because of the curve in the road and the overgrown hedge bordering Mentone restaurant limiting visibility.
The broom used by Swenson to sweep up greenery from the hedge on Trout Gulch Road, Aptos, that kept pedestrians from being able to see oncoming cars. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
The curve is still there, of course, but Swenson, which leases the building to Mentone, has cut back the hedge.
On Friday, two workers were out on the sidewalk trimming the hedge and sweeping up fallen greenery, which had grown explosively due to steady rainfall.
The Aptos Times photographed this improvement in progress but was told by the Swenson crew that photographs of the crew at work were not allowed.
The area is part of the $40 million 11.5-acre Aptos Village Project, in the works since 2012, for which Phase 2 began in September.
The first phase was to retrofit the historic Apple Packing Shed for use by New Leaf Community Market (which opened in 2019). It included building 17 townhomes, 16 condos and new commercial space for stores (Cloud and Coffee, and SockShop Santa Cruz, 2019, and Penny Ice Creamery, 2020) and wineries (Sante Arcangeli in 2019) Ser (in 2020) and Doon to Earth (2023) Now Swenson is building the second phase: Seven buildings on either side of Aptos Village Way.
The first floor will be reserved for commercial use, with the upper floors being residential rentals. Five of the 29 new homes will have “affordable” prices. Specific figures have yet to be announced.
The oversized check in the window of Caroline’s announces the proprietor has donated $3,930,000 since 2012 to local nonprofits that help children. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
In all, this development when complete will have 11 “affordable” units, which means buyers cannot exceed income limits. And prices will be lower than market prices.
The idea behind this project was to create a “heart” for Aptos and provide new housing, of which there is a shortage.
For the 29 new homes, each is to be assigned a garage, with a total of 43 spaces to accommodate homeowners and guests.
Residents are eagerly awaiting a new parklet, to be located on a 24,000-square-foot area to be deeded to Santa Cruz County Parks when construction is complete. County officials will decide the specific use.
Christy Licker is the creator of Caroline’s, the treasured nonprofit thrift shop at 8047 Soquel Drive, Aptos, from which she donates the proceeds in memory of her daughter to nonprofits that help children.
She recruits volunteers to staff the shop, which is always full of beautiful housewares and clothing donated by the community.
Since she began this charitable enterprise in 2010, she has donated $3,930,000 — yes, that’s millions — to help the organizations that helped her daughter.
This year, she gave $575,000 to 37 local nonprofits. The gifts ranged from $2,500 to $40,000.
Now that’s generosity.
I asked her what else could be done to make Trout Gulch Road safer for people on foot.
Her suggestion: How about a speed bump?
The county fee for a road bump is $5,085, “a portion of the costs” to be paid by residents requesting one, the county policy reads.
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TOP IMAGE: Swenson is building seven buildings on either side of Aptos Village Way, first floor commercial, upper floors residential. • Photo Credit: Jondi Gumz
