Damaged Dec. 23, the Santa Cruz City Council will consider a plan to partially repair the Santa Cruz wharf. (Tom Gigliotti) 

The plan includes reconstruction of one sea lion-viewing hole and part of the destroyed parking lot by early 2026. The city council could later opt to rebuild more of the lost length of the wharf. 

During repairs to the end of the wharf on Dec. 23, storm surf destroyed the Dolphin restaurant and sent a bathroom building drifting from the wharf to the San Lorenzo rivermouth. Three Sea lion viewing holes also were demolished.

A full rebuild could cost $11 million, according to a city staff report.

The city council Tuesday is set to consider commissioning a $100,000 design plan. The money would come from the city’s disaster recovery fund and could be reimbursed by the state. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation in support of an unspecified amount of emergency funding in February, which could fund the rebuild. But the city has not yet received any state money, city staff wrote. 

The end of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf is fenced off Dec. 24, a day after large surf tore off an area under repair. (Tom Gigliotti)

The city council is also set to consider:

• An updated military equipment policy for Santa Cruz Police, including shotguns, teargas and an armored vehicle. A proposed addition to the policy would allow police to use equipment not included in the policy “in exigent circumstances.”

• A study on potential consolidation or shared services with the Santa Cruz Fire Department, Scotts Valley Fire Protection District and Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County. The City of Santa Cruz now runs its own fire department, while Scotts Valley Fire and Central Fire are independent special districts. 

• A new bike lane on Bay Street between California and High streets. Part of the path between Escalona and Nobel drives, with bike lanes on either side of the street, was approved in 2024. The rest of the path would be a two-lane separated bike path on the west side of the street, alongside Bay View Elementary.  

• Temporary permits for outdoor dining in alleys next to downtown businesses. The permits are part of a proposed plan to attract and keep businesses downtown. 

• A higher public safety impact fee for developers. It could fund expenses for Santa Cruz police and fire including a proposed public safety training center.

A wharf platform and bathrooms drifted to the San Lorenzo rivermouth, shown Dec. 24. (Tom Gigliotti)

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