West Cliff 5-year Roadmap

Following a severe storm event in January 2023, the City of Santa Cruz faced significant damage to the West Cliff Drive multiuse path, resulting in partial collapse into the ocean and rendering portions of the facility unusable. In response, the city implemented temporary measures such as converting parts of the corridor to one-way vehicular traffic to maintain access for pedestrians and cyclists. A comprehensive, yearlong community engagement effort was initiated to gather feedback on the future development of West Cliff Drive, involving a diverse team of consulting and engineering experts, regulatory agencies, community groups, and funders. This collaborative effort culminated in the creation of a 50-year Community Vision for West Cliff, emphasizing accessibility and multi-use functionality. The contract for the West Cliff 5-year Roadmap, valued between five and fifteen million dollars, aims to develop a strategic, prioritized implementation plan aligned with the long-term community vision and existing city master plans and policies. The Roadmap will focus on identifying near-term projects that reconcile various policies and leverage an adaptation pathways approach to ensure resilience and accessibility. The project is overseen by the City Manager’s office in California, with a primary point of contact being Gina Liebig. The initiative seeks to translate extensive community feedback and planning efforts into actionable steps over the next five years, ensuring the preservation and enhancement of West Cliff Drive as a cherished public amenity. The solicitation was posted on May 28, 2024, with responses due by July 3, 2024.