Editor’s note: This column was submitted in December and should have run earlier in January.
As we enter the new year, I’m reflecting on our achievements in 2024—progress made possible through collaboration with community members, colleagues, county staff, and you.
Together, we’ve worked to ensure Santa Cruz County remains a great place to live, work, and play. This year brought progress, fortitude, and action. From addressing environmental challenges to historic investments in housing, infrastructure, public safety, and health, our collective efforts made a lasting impact. We continued to partner with organizations, public safety agencies, businesses, and residents on initiatives like monthly cleanups, farmworker outreach, National Night Out, and Adopt-a-Family, strengthening connections across the county.
Here are some of the highlights of what we achieved in 2024.
Infrastructure and Accessibility
In June, the South County Government Center opened at 500 Westridge Drive, which consolidated services and brought new services in a state-of-the-art 121,000-square-foot facility. This initiative improves access by eliminating the need for Watsonville residents to travel to Santa Cruz for county services. My office also relocated to 150 Westridge Drive.
Roadway safety saw significant upgrades with the $4.3 million Holohan Road and East Lake Avenue intersection improvement project. Enhancements include new turn lanes, pedestrian corridors, and bike-friendly infrastructure, ensuring safer travel for all.
Work continues on Green Valley Road Multi-Use Project, which runs from Holohan Road to Mesa Verde Drive. This project will provide pedestrians with a safer, more accessible path, improve road crossings, add new bus shelters, upgrade existing bus stops, and include landscaping and public art installations.
Flood Protection in Pajaro Valley
On Oct. 2, a significant milestone was reached with the groundbreaking on Reach 6, a flood-prone area from Green Valley Road to the Corralitos Creek Bridge on East Lake Avenue that lacked levees and saw multiple farms and neighborhoods flood during the 2023 storms. The $600 million Pajaro River Levee Project will provide 100-year flood protection for communities in Watsonville and Pajaro, safeguarding thousands of homes, businesses, and farmlands from flooding.
Transforming Public Spaces
South County continues to move forward with the new South County Road Park project. This 38.5-acre development will feature athletic fields, a community farm, and a nature trail, addressing a long-standing need for recreational spaces in the area. The $2.3 million investment is expected to improve health outcomes and foster community connections.
First Annual Countywide Community Clean-Up & Surveillance Cameras to Deter Illegal Dumping
On May 11, 2024, Santa Cruz County had its first community cleanup! In partnership with all the cities, it declared the second Saturday of each May as the annual Santa Cruz Countywide Clean-Up Day. Collaborating with the community-led Trash-Talker Coalition and the Pitch-In campaign, hundreds of volunteers organized over a dozen cleanup events, beautifying neighborhoods across the county and reinforcing our commitment to making Santa Cruz County the cleanest in the state.
Santa Cruz County also intensified its fight against illegal dumping, which costs taxpayers $500,000 annually. Surveillance cameras were installed at key locations, and violators now face fines of up to $500.
Homelessness Prevention and Housing Solutions
In April 2024, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the updated Strategic Framework for Addressing Homelessness (2024–27). Informed by community input gathered earlier in the year, the plan aims to reduce the duration of homelessness by 10% annually, decrease returns to homelessness by 20% annually, improve data collection and enhance outreach and service access.
It also urges community support for meeting low-income housing goals across the county, aligning with the Regional Housing Needs Allocation to address homelessness effectively. The updated framework emphasizes innovative partnerships and actionable solutions for safe, stable housing for all residents that includes permanent housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, and low barrier navigation centers.
Revitalizing Community Spaces
Volunteer efforts revitalized the historic Veterans Memorial Building in Watsonville. This 1934 landmark received much-needed repairs, including new windows and fresh paint, preserving its legacy for future generations. The building also resumed hosting essential services for veterans, ensuring it remains a hub of community support.
Empowering Future Leaders
The Young Supervisors Academy launched its second cohort, equipping high school and college students in Pajaro Valley with civic engagement and leadership skills. This program connects young leaders with community-based organizations, businesses, and county government, providing hands-on governance experience and fostering the next generation of civic leaders.
Ensuring Health Equity
In a landmark move, the Pajaro Valley Health Care District finalized the $40 million purchase of Watsonville Community Hospital.
Looking Forward
Thank you for your dedication and contributions in 2024. From public safety and flood protection to empowering leaders and enhancing recreation, this year’s successes highlight the power of collaboration. I look forward to continuing our work to make Santa Cruz County an even better place to call home.
