Retail Leasing Opportunity: 810 Pacific Ave.

The City of Santa Cruz (“City”) is pleased to issue this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the lease of a new combined retail space located at 810 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz CA (see Exhibit A). The City seeks Proposals from interested and qualified entities to lease an approximately 3,688 square foot retail space within the new Metro Pacific Station South.

Respondents must refer to Attachment A "810 Pacific Ave. Request For Proposals" under the Attachments tab for full details and submission requirements.

The Proposal Package must be prepared in the manner and detail specified in Attachment A. The information requested through Opengov must be submitted or the Proposal will be deemed nonresponsive. Failure to submit a complete Proposal Package will result in the Proposal being deemed nonresponsive.

The City of Santa Cruz was incorporated in 1866 and formed its current charter in 1948. It is governed under a Council/Manager form of government. A Mayor and six Council members set policy for the City and a City Manager serves as chief administrator of those policies. The City is located on the coast, 75 miles south of San Francisco on the northern edge of the Monterey Bay. It encompasses 15.8 square miles with cultural and ethnic diversity among its population of 65,000. Santa Cruz is part of the National Marine Sanctuary and is a popular tourist destination owing to its beaches, surf culture, and historical landmarks.

The City provides a full range of municipal services and facilities including a recreational wharf, public golf course, over thirteen hundred acres of open space, full beach services, refuse management, law enforcement, fire protection, and water and wastewater utilities. The City is also host to University of California Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Harbor, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park.

Santa Cruz is a city of 65,000 residents and the historic heart of Santa Cruz County. Located just 25 miles from the heart of Silicon Valley, the City’s mild climate, artistic and innovative culture, and a unique beach side setting attract more than 4 million visitors per year. Santa Cruz boasts a dynamic concentration of successful local and national brand retailers, in addition to offices, housing, restaurants, and entertainment venues many of which are concentrated in the Downtown core. Santa Cruz is a vibrant regional destination and also supports a strong ‘shop local’ mentality among residents.

The City’s recently completed Santa Cruz Retail Market Study estimates that businesses within Downtown Santa Cruz serve a primary market of approximately 149,000 people yielding up to $30.6 million in unmet demand within the Downtown market. The City of Santa Cruz is seeking innovative retail concepts to help serve this market segment, as well as attract more regional visitors and contribute to the City’s vibrant Downtown.

The retail space is strategically located within the Pacific Station South project, a transformative development nestled near 1400+ housing units. This seven-story mixed-use building features ground floor commercial and residential amenity space, a second-floor medical clinic, and 70 affordable rental apartments on the upper five stories. As the first phase of the Pacific Station revitalization project, it adjoins Pacific Station North, which offers another 128 affordable residential units, additional ground floor commercial space, and a new regional transit hub served by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO).

METRO, established in 1968, provides essential transportation services to Santa Cruz County, connecting residents to jobs, education, healthcare, and leisure activities. With a fleet of over 100 buses and paratransit vehicles, METRO operates county-wide fixed-route and Highway 17 commuter service, linking Santa Cruz to Santa Clara County and Monterey Salinas Transit. This robust transportation network, combined with the Pacific Station's central location, offers businesses a unique opportunity to tap into a diverse customer base and drive foot traffic.

Upon completion, Pacific Station will revitalize over 2 acres of downtown Santa Cruz, creating a vibrant neighborhood with abundant services. Residents and visitors will have direct access to amenities such as the Riverwalk, beaches, Kaiser Permanente Arena, and transit services throughout the region, including direct connections to Silicon Valley at Diridon Station. Just outside the space, the new Maple Paseo public space will link Pacific Avenue to the Riverwalk, providing bike and pedestrian access to over 5 miles of existing trails and 17 additional miles along the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail.

Currently under construction, the space is a cold shell with an electrical panel, plumbing hookups, and a 3000-gallon grease trap. The retail space is 3,688 square feet and may be subdivided into two spaces if needed. Proposals are encouraged for both full utilization of the space as well smaller subdivided uses (size may vary). Responsive proposals, should anticipate the need for Tenant Improvements (TIs) and should include a reasonable budget for such work. If any cost share or assistance is requested from the City, this should be noted in the proposal.

This RFP is issued by the City of Santa Cruz to solicit proposals from qualified tenants interested in leasing a retail space located at 810 Pacific Avenue. This is a direct lease opportunity between a tenant and the City of Santa Cruz. No brokerage fees will be paid in connection with the negotiation or execution of any lease agreement resulting from this RFP.

The retail space will be available to the selected responder upon approval by the Santa Cruz City Council, execution of a lease agreement, and completion of tenant improvements.

For information and resources regarding establishing and growing a business in Santa Cruz please visit www.choosesantacruz.com.