March 1, 2005: Headlines: COS - Colombia: Politics: Congress: Corps of Engineers: Santa Cruz Sentinel: Key to the stabilization project, city officials say, was federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who helped persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design an aesthetically and environmentally sound project

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Colombia: Special Report: Sam Farr: Sam Farr: Archived Stories: March 1, 2005: Headlines: COS - Colombia: Politics: Congress: Corps of Engineers: Santa Cruz Sentinel: Key to the stabilization project, city officials say, was federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who helped persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design an aesthetically and environmentally sound project

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Key to the stabilization project, city officials say, was federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who helped persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design an aesthetically and environmentally sound project

Key to the stabilization project, city officials say, was federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who helped persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design an aesthetically and environmentally sound project

Key to the stabilization project, city officials say, was federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who helped persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design an aesthetically and environmentally sound project

Riverside reborn with path, plaza

By SHANNA MCCORD
Sentinel staff writer

SANTA CRUZ — Come summer, walking or biking between the Boardwalk and downtown should be faster than driving.

A new 900-foot concrete path dotted with 15 street lights has gone in along the San Lorenzo River on Laurel Street Extension and Third Street, forming a continuous connection between Highway 1 and the Boardwalk.

"It’s really transformed this end of town," said Joe Hall, assistant director of the city Redevelopment Agency. "It makes it easier for people to come and go from here."

The section of path, which sits between the Riverside Avenue and Laurel Street bridges, is one of the last links to be completed in the San Lorenzo River Parkway Project.

The last phase, Hall said, involves removing built-up sediment near the Water Street bridge.

The city is waiting for federal money to begin removing the sediment, he said.

The Laurel Street Extension Streambank Stabilization Project — with the path, street lights, brick plaza, steel fencing, sculptured concrete wall on the riverbank and newly planted riverbank vegetation — cost $6.6 million. It was a joint effort between the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop erosion by the San Lorenzo River.

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The Corps of Engineers paid for the bulk of the project, spending $4.4 million, and the city received $1.9 million from Proposition 40, a state park bond passed in March 2002.

The California Coastal Conservancy paid $175,000 and FEMA contributed $110,000. The city’s portion was $50,000.

The old path along Laurel Street Extension, in desperate need of repair, was narrower and was deteriorating with each heavy rainstorm, Hall said.

"It was all falling into the river," he said. "We had to reinforce the road so it didn’t fall in."

Erosion at the spot started as early as 1921 when water flooded the river’s banks. Another major flood in 1955 exacerbated the damage.

But 1982 was the breaking point. Water ran over the bank, washing away a portion of the walkway.

Since then, city officials have worked to strengthen the riverbank and prevent further erosion.

Without repairs, they figured it was only a matter of time before a flood wiped out the entire Laurel Street Extension riverbank.

Key to the stabilization project, city officials say, was federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, who helped persuade the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design an aesthetically and environmentally sound project.

Farr included the project in the Water Resources Development Act of 1998.

Details such as logs in the water to attract fish and willows planted on the river’s edge make the project appealing for Santa Cruz, Mayor Mike Rotkin said.

"Engineering wasn’t the only issue here," Rotkin said. "We wanted to go beyond just making sure it doesn’t flood."

People who walk and bike the path appreciate the new look and safe feeling in the area.

"Oh, I love it," said Marlyn Bergman, 76, a retired real estate agent who rides his Specialized bike on the path daily. "This is a really big improvement."

Santa Cruz High School freshman Raciel Antonio walks or bikes the path to get from his Kaye Street home to school every day.

"The old path was rougher and bumpier," said Antonio, 14. "It’s more secure now."

Santa Cruz police said the new lighting and improved access should help clean up some of the drug traffic in the area.

"It will be easier for us to get in and patrol," Lt. Steve Clark said. "More foot and car traffic makes it less attractive (for drug sales.)"

Construction on the project began in May and the majority was completed in November.

The project’s completion will be celebrated at the site Friday. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and includes remarks from Rotkin, Farr, and county Tax Collector Fred Keeley, a former state assemblyman.

Contact Shanna McCord at smccord@santacruzsentinel.com.





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Story Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Colombia; Politics; Congress; Corps of Engineers

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