A city parking lot at Cedar and Lincoln streets in Santa Cruz is slated to become a three-level library with housing and parking. (Ten Over Studio)

The eight-story complex at Cedar Street between Lincoln and Cathcart streets is expected to include:

• A three-level library with two indoor levels, a rooftop terrace and patio.
• Space for businesses and restaurants.
• A child care facility with an outdoor play area.
• 123 below-market-rent homes, plus a manager’s unit.
• About 240 parking spaces, including 25 electric vehicle charging stations.

For the Future Housing and nonprofit Eden Housing will manage the below-market-rate housing. An interest list for the anticipated homes is online.

The first phase of the construction includes the exterior of the building, housing, a child care facility and parking garage. 

A second phase beginning mid-2026 is expected to finish the interior of the library and business space, Santa Cruz Development Manager Brian Borguno wrote in an email.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is set to move by early May to the city lot on Cedar Street next to the existing Downtown Library, plus part of Cedar and Church streets next to the lot. The Santa Cruz Antique Faire will follow in the summer or early fall.

At an April 26 festival at Cedar and Lincoln streets, city staff plan to show illustrations of the new library and kick off a fundraising campaign for a second phase of construction that’s expected to start in 2026. The festival is set to include food trucks and live music.

A rooftop deck is expected on the library near Cedar and Cathcart streets, with five stories of housing over a three-story parking garage in the rear. (Ten Over Studio)

Building costs

The first phase of construction is estimated to cost $153.9 million, city staff said in May 2024. It has been fully funded from sources that include:

• A $33.5 million state Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities grant.
• $20 million from Measure S, a bond for libraries approved by Santa Cruz County voters in 2016.
• A $55.6 million bond from the California Debt Allocation Committee.
• A $55.1 million tax credit from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.

The second phase of construction is expected to use more Measure S money, proceeds from the city’s sale of Skypark property in Scotts Valley and a fundraising campaign, Borguno wrote. City staff are also looking for other potential grants and funding sources.

Cost estimates for the second phase of construction are expected in July. 

In March, the Santa Cruz City Council voted to pursue affordable housing to replace the existing downtown library at 224 Church St. with office space for city employees and a plaza to permanently host the farmer’s market. City staff haven’t yet presented a proposal for the new development or potential funding sources for that project.

123 below-market-rate homes are expected to be built behind the library complex. (Ten Over Studios)

A rendering of the library complex from Cedar and Lincoln streets. (Ten Over Studios)

A three-level library is slated for Cedar and Cathcart streets. (Ten Over Studios)

Glass is expected to flood the new library with natural light and invite visitors. (Ten Over Studios)

A rooftop terrace and patio are part of the library plans. (Ten Over Studios)

The library is expected to include meeting spaces. (Ten Over Studios) 

A third-level roof deck includes lounge space. (Ten Over Studios)

Childrens’ areas are included in the library design. (Ten Over Studios)

Special collections are expected to be displayed. (Ten Over Studios)

The new library is designed to radiate some light at dusk. (Ten Over Studios)

Construction is expected to start in June 2025, about five years after the Santa Cruz City Council’s first approval of the project. (Ten Over Studios)

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