The City of Capitola invites the public to a Grand Opening of the newly revitalized Capitola Wharf on Wednesday.
“The event will take place at the end of Capitola Wharf, marking the completion of significant upgrades made possible through the Capitola Wharf Resiliency, Public Access Improvement Project and the community-led Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project,” said assistant manager Chloe Woodmansee.
The year-long, $8 million reconstruction renovation project was bolstered by an additional $425,000 through community fundraising. The renovation effort repaired damage from the 2023/24 storms and tidal surge, and also widened the wharf to enhance its resilience against future storms.
The wharf now features new decking, railing, the replacement of 150 piles, utility upgrades and new public restrooms near the Wharf entrance. Meanwhile, funding from the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project helped boost a revamped entryway, new lighting, additional seating, viewing stations and public art installations.
In the future, the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary Foundation will aid with the addition of informational kiosks with insights into Capitola’s history and natural environment that will be installed before the end of 2024.
The grand opening event will kick off Sept. 25 at 2pm with speakers at 2:30pm, followed by live music from the Joint Chiefs Trio. Food will be available from food trucks such as Taquizas Gabriel and the Capitola Candy dessert truck. There will also be a beer garden.
Notable additions to the beautification and upgrade to the Capitola Wharf are two colorful mosaic artworks by Watsonville artist Kathleen Crocetti.
One work, already in place, is a 21-foot Donor Panel showing brightly colored fish emblazoned with the names of those that stepped forward to help with the revitalization project.
“It was super fun because we opened a satellite studio in the Capitola Mall to invite the public to engage in the artworks,” Crocetti said. “The number of people that showed up was astonishing. While we thought it would take three months, it only took two. I think everyone who was involved has a tremendous sense of pride and ownership and came away very happy.”
The second mosaic, which Crocetti said is already completed and is awaiting installation, will have a bar that goes across the top of the entrance gate with images of a kelp forest woven into the lettering, Welcome to Capitola.
