A petition in Santa Cruz has gathered close to 11,000 signatures to save The Catalyst, a popular music venue in downtown Santa Cruz, from being demolished and replaced by a proposed apartment complex. The plan, proposed by a Silicon Valley investor, would transform the site into a mixed-use building, including both the music venue and a seven-story apartment complex, raising concerns about the coexistence of a nightclub and housing.Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley supports those wanting to preserve The Catalyst, but noted that the decision is beyond the city’s control. “What some people mean by save the catalyst is save the business in the current building, but that’s not the city’s authority to do it. That’s the property owner and the business owner,” Keeley said. He also mentioned that designating the building as a historic or cultural landmark could help maintain the business, but it would not affect the current application process. “We can give it that designation, but that has nothing to do with the application that is in,” Keeley said.The building is currently in escrow with the buyer, and The Catalyst’s lease runs through mid-2028. The club reportedly has until May of this year to approve or retract the proposal. Keeley shared a personal anecdote about an interaction with Snoop Dogg at The Catalyst, highlighting the venue’s cultural significance. “Everybody has their story. I have a, personal story about an interaction with Snoop Dogg at the Catalyst a few years ago,” Keeley said.Community members have voiced their concerns about the impact of the proposed development on downtown Santa Cruz.Ethan Long said, “I don’t think putting apartment complexes is going to be great for the, you know, economy of downtown, I guess, or like the whole culture of downtown.” Another supporter, Nico, expressed sadness over the potential changes, saying, “It’s just really sad to see.”Hector Marin, who initiated the petition, disagreed with Mayor Keeley, stating, “The city does have the power to make cultural overlay zoning districts to preserve the concert venue that generates much-needed revenue for our city and local businesses.”
A petition in Santa Cruz has gathered close to 11,000 signatures to save The Catalyst, a popular music venue in downtown Santa Cruz, from being demolished and replaced by a proposed apartment complex.
The plan, proposed by a Silicon Valley investor, would transform the site into a mixed-use building, including both the music venue and a seven-story apartment complex, raising concerns about the coexistence of a nightclub and housing.
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley supports those wanting to preserve The Catalyst, but noted that the decision is beyond the city’s control.
“What some people mean by save the catalyst is save the business in the current building, but that’s not the city’s authority to do it. That’s the property owner and the business owner,” Keeley said.
He also mentioned that designating the building as a historic or cultural landmark could help maintain the business, but it would not affect the current application process.
“We can give it that designation, but that has nothing to do with the application that is in,” Keeley said.
The building is currently in escrow with the buyer, and The Catalyst’s lease runs through mid-2028. The club reportedly has until May of this year to approve or retract the proposal.
Keeley shared a personal anecdote about an interaction with Snoop Dogg at The Catalyst, highlighting the venue’s cultural significance.
“Everybody has their story. I have a, personal story about an interaction with Snoop Dogg at the Catalyst a few years ago,” Keeley said.
Community members have voiced their concerns about the impact of the proposed development on downtown Santa Cruz.
Ethan Long said, “I don’t think putting apartment complexes is going to be great for the, you know, economy of downtown, I guess, or like the whole culture of downtown.”
Another supporter, Nico, expressed sadness over the potential changes, saying, “It’s just really sad to see.”
Hector Marin, who initiated the petition, disagreed with Mayor Keeley, stating, “The city does have the power to make cultural overlay zoning districts to preserve the concert venue that generates much-needed revenue for our city and local businesses.”