Indybay (@indybay.org)

Santa Cruz City Council Approves Anti-Homeless Landscape Designs for Ocean Street Entrance Anti-homeless landscape designs for the public spaces adjacent to the entrance of Ocean Street were unanimously approved by the Santa Cruz City Council at their October 28 meeting. Renderings show a variety of hardscaping options that are intended to keep homeless people out of the areas to be redeveloped, and off the traffic medians, where individuals frequently panhandle. Modifications could include the addition of boulders, stones, and or concrete to form an "uneven grade" in order to make it more difficult for people to occupy the spaces. City staff will now proceed with the creation of construction plans, and then return to the City Council at a future date for approval. The design proposals are part of the Ocean Street Beautification Project, which intends to create a "welcoming gateway" to the main entry to the city that will include public art, new welcome signage, and landscape improvements. (Photo: A rendering shows proposed hardscaping elements and a new "Santa Cruz" sign at the entrance to Ocean Street. See below to view more renderings of the design proposals.) https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/11/04/18881244.php