Twin Lakes Beachfront project expected to be done by Summer

It’s been more than a year since construction started at Twin Lakes Beach in Santa Cruz.

Business owners say a slew of things that come along with construction has hurt business in the area. “They’ve had numerous delays, lack of planning, not knowing what products were used so it’s just been very difficult for all of us,” says Michael Spadafora, owner of Java Junction right off of East Cliff Drive.

That resulting in a loss of revenue, “Reduced sales, reduced traffic and difficult for customers to get in and out,” says Spadafora.

County officials say with such a big project they ran into a few road blocks. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty says this project will help make the area safer and more sustainable, “There are a lot of improvements were making at the beach front at twin lakes. Were first I have all protecting our infrastructure some climate change in sea level rise. We are putting in a bike path formalizing the parking, we are landscaping, it’s really going to be a beautiful project when it’s done.”

Prior to the project, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians would have to share the road, making it dangerous for everyone. “We had bicycle and pedestrians were trying to weave through cars in a very tight area this formalizes parking, creates a bike and pedestrian path It can also be used by folks who are disabled, it’s a really great project to increase access to the coast,” says Supervisor Coonerty.

While the project has put a strain on businesses in the area, Spadafora says, “it will be really nice, we’ve lost parking, I think we lost about 20 spots but the seating that they are put in and the walkways that they are creating everything else is going to be really nice when it’s done, it’s just the pain of getting through and getting it open.”

The sand still has to be leveled out, along with some paving and landscaping, but county officials hope to have everything done by Summer.