The picture above, gleaned from an official City of Santa Cruz website, shows a proposed high-rise residential development on Pacific Avenue, which is the city's main downtown street. This proposed development would wipe out The Catalyst, a revered and longtime music venue, where some of America's greatest bands and performers have played.
The Catalyst has its own Wikipedia entry, which identifies it as a "nightclub," echoing The Catalyst's own self-description. Click the link for a partial list of some of the bands and performers who have appeared there. Here's what The Catalyst looks like now:
Justin Cummings, the County Supervisor who represents most of the City of Santa Cruz, and who lives just a few blocks away from The Catalyst, has commented on Facebook that this proposal is "completely unacceptable!!!" Cummings further commented that the proposed development, if approved, "would also get rid of the Starving Musician [a store that sells musical instruments]. Unbelievably disgusting and definitely not affordable. We need to not just let the City know how horrible of an idea this is, but also let our state reps know that we’re fed up with not having control over development in our community."
It appears, based on a recent Facebook message from a local resident, addressed to me, that Cummings is not alone in his distress about what is being proposed at 1009-10ll-1015 Pacific. Here is that message to me, and my response:
Gary, regarding the proposed 1009, 1011, 1015 Pacific Ave project - this unmitigated unsustainable development bypassing sensible planning in our town is becoming absurd. No parking, water, fire or other infrastructure considered in planning. How do we effectively oppose this and the other similar undesirable and unwise developments? Got ideas? What can I do - besides complain to the council which I’ve found to be pointless?
oooOOOooo
My Reply:
I have no easy answer. What is needed is a combination political/legal effort - a group, meeting in real life each week, getting appropriate legal assistance and then electing new Council Members, filing lawsuits as needed. Maybe this latest travesty will galvanize that kind of effort, as the City effort to turn Lighthouse Field into a shopping center/condo/ hotel development, with a Convention Center as the come on, did way back in 1972!
All good wishes.
Gary A. Patton, Attorney at Law
My answer to the distraught email above, in fact, is my basic political advice to all who want to regain control over their politics - advice which reflects my own, personal experience.
In 1972, I was hired to provide legal advice and assistance to the Save Lighthouse Point Association (and quickly became just a "member," not a hired gun). A relatively small group of people [15-20], meeting each week, in person, outlined a complete political and legal strategy, and "Saved Lighthouse Field." I'll end this blog posting with a picture of Lighthouse Field today, to remind everyone of what would have been lost, except for the work done by the Save Lighthouse Field Association.
Without those political and legal efforts, here is what would now be found on Lighthouse Field: (1) A high-rise hotel, like the Dream Inn; (2) A massive shopping center, equivalent in size to the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center in Aptos; (3) Condominium apartments [I think 100 or so] for the wealthy; (4) Seven acres of blacktopped parking lots; and (5) a "Convention Center."
The City Council and the County Board of Supervisors were, at least at the start, unanimously in favor of this proposed development of Lighthouse Field. No elected official was on the scene to make a statement like the one that Justin Cummings has made about the "Let's Wipe Out The Catalyst With Another High-Rise Apartment Building Proposal."
To "Save Lighthouse Field," the community had to act. And we did. I was proud to be part of the effort, which included an initiative measure that I wrote, approved by City voters in June, 1974, withdrawing the City's land from the proposed development. The brand-new California Coastal Commission voted down the entire development proposal, soon thereafter, and then local elected officials, and our state representatives, made sure that this incredibly valuable coastal property was purchased and made into a State Park.
Lighthouse Field (see it pictured below) was saved by one of those "small groups" that Margaret Mead talked about. I agree with Margaret Mead (and pay attention to the very last part of what she says. That's perhaps the most important part, and I'll bold it in the quote below).
If Santa Cruz residents don't like what their City officials are doing (and I, personally, don't like what they're doing - and doubt that that the majority of voters do, either) then I advise those concerned to employ the Margaret Mead remedy (and I'm willing to call it the "Lighthouse Field" remedy, too). That, in my opinion, is only way we can change what's happening. A small group. Meeting in person. Meeting every week. Taking the initiative, politically. Never giving up. You can't do it with "online" protestations!
Here's that Margaret Mead quote:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
And here is that promised picture of Lighthouse Field, today - a past (and still present) gift to this community that the community gave to itself:
Image Credits:
(2) https://crown.ucsc.edu/student-life/creative-corner/
(4) https://fisherelectricinc.com/service-area/
Beautiful piece Gary...from the heart! Thank you, offers inspiration to all...now, it's time for the community to step up and provide the organizing perspiration.
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