By Zach Friend
A number of exciting things have been going on lately in Aptos and mid-county in general. From new murals to new local businesses opening to some road repair here is a short overview:
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Aptos Village
The new Aptos Public Safety Service Center has opened at the Aptos Village (across the parking lot from New Leaf). This center is the first of its kind in the mid-county, offering new offices for the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, Probation and our 2nd District office.
The District Attorney’s Office plans to hold community trainings out of the office (especially how to avoid fraud and crimes against seniors), the Sheriff’s Office will have deputies and staff at this location to meet with local residents and address concerns. Our office will allow an expansion of open office hours as well as general drop-in options for the community.
Probation plans to do educational outreach from this location (including outreach to local schools) and victim and witness interviews. Overall, this provides a connection to public safety resources that hadn’t been available in the mid-county.
With New leaf open, other businesses in the Village are beginning to come online. Sockshop & Shoe Company has opened its new location in the Village and Cat & Cloud Coffee anticipates being open by the end of June with Penny Ice Creamery looking for a summer opening as well. Additional businesses will follow.
New Seacliff Mural
If you haven’t had the chance to check out the beautiful new mural on State Park Drive near Seacliff Drive (across from Marianne’s Ice Cream) you are in for a treat. The mural, a partnership between Ben Strock, Cole Strickland and the County featured local artist Amadeo Bachar. Bachar played up the local oceanic theme on the mural and becomes a new iconic marker to the heart of Seacliff.
Rancho Del Mar
Rancho Del Mar continues its remodel and some new businesses have opened (or intend to open soon) including a new Sutter Health walk-in medical clinic, Bay Federal Credit Union (which is relocating from their other Aptos location up the street), Anytime Fitness (gym), Clean Juice (a juice bar), Poke Bowl restaurant, Sushi Garden restaurant and the Bubble Lounge (a cosmetics and beauty boutique).
Measure D
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) recently received an update on Measure D including the results of an independent auditor’s report. The audit came back clean and provided additional information on the financial outlays for the previous year.
In the first year, all of the local cities, the County, Santa Cruz METRO and Community Bridges used the funds to fill potholes, build new bike and walking paths, replace busses, increase transportation service for seniors and people with disabilities, design infrastructure projects (highway) and more.
Much of this was within the mid and south county areas in our distirct. Specifically, La Selva was the first area to receive Measure D neighborhood resurfacing funds in the unincorporated area. In the coming year, Rio Del Mar will be resurfaced followed by Seacliff.
I’ve been working with Public Works on the possibility of bonding against Measure D funds to expedite local roadwork. Given the increases in construction costs, I requested bonding to ensure to complete more work than would be possible if it were subject to the increased costs of construction in a few years.
In the last year, METRO, using Measure D and SB1 funds, acquired 18 new vehicles to replace aging ones (with cleaner equipment). Liftline expanded service from 5 to 7 days per week and recently acquired new electric transportation vehicles for seniors and people with disabilities. Much of these services benefit our portion of the county and we are fortune to have these services available.
In Watsonville, bike and pedestrian safety training was conducted and pedestrian safety measures such as new crosswalk flashing beacons and lighting through the downtown corridor were installed. In Capitola, a new Highway 1 Interchange green bike lane improvement was completed along with new markings and signage on 41st Avenue, Bay/Porter and Park Avenue.
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This is just an overview of things happening in the district recently, with more to come.
As always, if you have any questions or I can be of any assistance please feel free to give me a call at 454-2200 or stop by our new joint office in at the Aptos Public Safety Center.