Construction has started on a new rooftop cafe at the Watsonville Public Library on Main Street, a $2.7 million project that aims to give patrons a place to read and city residents a new place to grab a cup of coffee. The cafe, slated for completion in March or April, will also be a place to provide new and innovative programming that includes night events, says Library Director Alicia Martinez.
“We’re super-excited,” she said. “It’s another opportunity to expand our programming and partner with local organizations.”
Among the library’s plans are using a $9,000 grant from Pacific Library Partnership to establish gardening boxes, and work with organizations such as Life Labs, Esperanza Farms, and Pajaro Valley Health Trust to grow and cook the food grown there.
“It’s an opportunity to encourage our teens to be ambassadors to the library,” she said.
Also included is a seating area, a children’s play area and a classroom space where children could learn and adults could attend events and classes such as Zumba.
In addition, there will be overhead lights and a TV. Coffee, tea and pastries would possibly be supplied by Cabrillo College’s culinary program.
As part of the work, crews have closed off a portion of the children’s section to shore up the building for the new cafe that will be above.
The proposed site, now a patio behind two locked glass doors on the northeast side of the building facing Main Street, is currently covered with a layer of small black river rocks.
The Watsonville City Council approved the plan in October 2024.
2.7 million for a coffee cafe when there is a locally owned coffee shop right across the street from the library. This is insane. Way to put a local business out of business using our tax dollars, which could be used for any other actual important use. Vote these insane “city leaders” out of office.