“We wanted to acknowledge and celebrate today the completion of the downtown revitalization and beautification project,” said Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot at the ceremony.

“The purpose and the vision behind this project, which ultimately improved and replaced about 1,200 different components — some large, some small, throughout the downtown — was a vibrant downtown and a safe downtown, a place that’s successful for our business community and is welcoming to all. It feels fresh and feels new.”

The project included the installation of new benches and trees, repainting more than 1,200 site furnishings such as lamp posts and bicycle racks, alongside fresh landscaping, new curb markings and upgraded seating areas, among other improvements.

Elliot mentioned that the week of Thanksgiving seemed an appropriate time to express gratitude to city workers and the project partners that made the downtown glow-up possible such as RRM Design Group, numerous local businesses and members of the Downtown Association.

Read more at Santa Cruz Sentinel.