Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $85M deal secures senior housing in Santa Cruz

Happening soon: Santa Cruz Film Festival on the Santa Cruz Patch calendar

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Friday October 9th Patch AM
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Hi there, Santa Cruz! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $85M deal secures senior housing in Santa Cruz
  • How 140 new affordable homes will change 831 Water Street
  • How new funding could bring and keep more doctors in Santa Cruz.

Also on today's calendar: Santa Cruz Film Festival and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Partly sunny and cool, with a high of 68 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Saturday: Low clouds breaking and cool, temps: high: 68, low: 53.
  • Sunday: Remaining cool with some sun, with a high of 67 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Jonathan Rose drops $85M for affordable senior housing in Santa Cruz (therealdeal.com) — An $85 million purchase of the La Posada senior apartments on Frederick Street locks in long-term affordability for 122 Section 8 units in Santa Cruz, extending federal rent protections for 20 more years. The new owner plans $14.6 million in renovations and expanded resident services, keeping nearly all 150 units available in a very tight local rental market.
   

2. 831 Water St. housing project in Santa Cruz continues to take shape (santacruzsentinel.com) — A major 100% affordable housing complex at 831 Water St. in Santa Cruz is about 20% complete, with 140 income-restricted units planned and construction expected to finish in June 2028. City officials say traffic impacts should mirror the former shopping center use, while the developer highlights on-site services, sustainability features, and an interest list for future tenants.
   

3. Laird secures funding for healthcare (pajaronian.com) — New state funding will expand a UC Santa Cruz–UC Davis medical training partnership that's expected to keep more doctors practicing on the Central Coast, including Santa Cruz. Alongside major support for Watsonville Community Hospital, the investment targets physician shortages in high-cost areas and builds on earlier efforts to stabilize local healthcare. Residents could see long-term benefits in access to family and specialty care.
   

4. New prescribed fire reported in Santa Cruz County on Sep. 17 (sacbee.com) — A long-running prescribed burn called the Swanton fire has been underway on state land in Santa Cruz County since September 17 as part of wildfire prevention efforts. Officials haven't yet released acreage or crew details, but the controlled fire is designed to reduce fuel loads and lower the risk of more dangerous wildfires near local communities.
   

5. People gather in Santa Cruz to mark anniversary of Oct. 7 attacks (santacruzsentinel.com) — About 100 people came together at Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz to quietly mark the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. Organized by several local Jewish groups, the gathering focused on shared mourning for victims and hostages amid the ongoing war in Gaza, while avoiding speeches and emphasizing solemn unity across differing political views.
   

📸 Around Santa Cruz

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just finished the book, Lessons In Chemistry which I loved.
    Claudia Monet Moo Cat Cow kept interrupting me but eventually I did finish. Did anybody read this book and would you recommend a next book that… (Nextdoor Villa De Branciforte East)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Sam, a cat who went missing in Santa Cruz County, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 19 hours, 2 minutes. Message from Owner: "He… (Nextdoor Live Oak)
  • CROSSMARK posted a job opening for IMMEDIATE HIRE -- Retail Merchandising in Santa Cruz. Apply here.
  • Tom Thumb Supermarket posted a job opening for Retail Sales and Store Support in Santa Cruz. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Cruz here.

Ok Santa Cruz! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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