Long-term and development plans move forward in Capitola

CAPITOLA, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Plans to move forward with Capitola's community feedback on the wharf's long-term use and development is moving forward, according to the Capitola City Council.

This means, according to Capitola, that the community will be invited to input their own ideas as well as collective ideas.

The city has announce five options available:

• An open space with benches, tables and bathrooms.
• A Current-use option that would allow for fishing and other events to take place on the wharf.
• Mobile structures with an option for businesses to occupy that would be able to move on and off the wharf with ease.
• Small all-weather structure options for businesses.
• A permanent structure option.

The city says that despite taking a while to procure the funds for the more permanent structures, they're open to community feedback on the options.

Residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the five potential structure ideas.

"I think permanent was nice when it was here," Kevin Barraza Capitola resident said. "As a real family, you know, atmosphere, the restaurant and the the Boat and Bait Shop, but then I think also on the flip side, having rotating vendors it's pretty cool because then people can try different things and it gives the vendors opportunity for exposure."

One person spoke on the idea of minimalistic look on the wharf.

"I kind of liked what was there," Roland Skipper from Capitola said. "I think if you put too much out there, it would be more like the Santa Cruz Wharf, so I think it's nice where it's not too busy and kind of more local."

During the public outreach process, people will also be able to tell the city what they think the wharf should offer.

"Something established, that would serve my breakfast or lunch," Max Garcia from Stockton said. "When we came almost every year, we would come every morning to have breakfast."

Following the damage from December 2023, temporary wharf plans include reopening the Boat and Bait shop and hosting two public events a grand opening on September 25th. Also a concert with food trucks and a beer garden on October 6th.

This process comes as a project aimed at enhacing the wharf's long-term resilience nears completion this month. 

"It was that was kind of rough because we spent a lot of time out here in the Summer time, but I knew that the city was going to do the right thing and fix it, and they have and it looks nice," Barraza said.

The city also said that they'll announce when the survey is available, and then it will be up for 21 days for community input. Then, they say, the results will be available next April.