APTOS — Santa Cruz County officials are working with utility companies to relocate phone and electricity lines, fiber optic cables and other utilities in preparation for installing a temporary bridge on Valencia Road, county spokesman Jason Hoppin said Monday.
In addition, the county has submitted a plan to the state to rebuild the culvert that runs along the road, and work can begin once the plan is approved, Hoppin said.
Hoppin added that county workers have completed soil testing and other work in preparation for the work, and that he expects construction “shortly.”
“We’ve also started ordering construction materials. So things are getting close,” he said.
This could be good news to the students, staff and parents of Valencia Elementary School, which has been closed since February after heavy rains damaged part of Valencia Road.
The closure forced the school’s fourth through sixth grades to relocate to Aptos High School, along with the mild-moderate special day class.
The moderate severe special day class moved to Rolling Hills Middle School, while the first through third grade classes went to Cabrillo College’s Aptos campus.
In March, the Federal Highway Administration approved a $4 million repair plan for the temporary bridge and road repair.
In the meantime, Aptos-based footwear company Klub Nico will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from a special sale to help the school pay for supplies and other things it needs.
The business’ spring inventory will be discounted up to 30 percent, fall booties discounted up to 40 percent, and returns, samples and seconds will be marked down, up to 75 percent off.
In addition, 100 percent of raffle money raised during the sale will also go to Valencia Elementary. Local companies that have donated raffle prizes include Deluxe Foods, PacCom, Highlights for Hair, BellaMar Training stables, Mockingbird and PrintSmith.
“The closing of Valencia Elementary has been very difficult for everyone,” said Klub Nico brand founder Kelley Lehner. “My heart goes out to the children, teachers and parents who are doing their best during this challenging time. We are grateful to have the opportunity to use our Klub Nico 4th Anniversary Sale as a platform to raise money for much-needed supplies for the children.”
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The sale will be held on Friday, May 5 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Klub Nico boutique at 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Suite 33 in Aptos.
Klub Nico is a brand of Ipanema, Inc., a Northern California-based company founded by Kelley Lehner in 2005. For information, visit www.klubnico.com.
