News Briefs

SV Grand Prix gets unanimous approval
The Scotts Valley Grand Prix is pedaling its way to fruition, as city leaders unanimously voted to allow the bike race to wind its way through the city next month. The Grand Prix will happen the day before the Amgen Tour of California rides through Santa Cruz County.
Organizers said the Prix is especially geared to attract women riders, because the Tour of California does not have a long-distance women’s event.
Council members pointed to the race as a difficult decision to make but concluded that what might hurt some local businesses in the short term could benefit the city in the long term.
“We do cherish our local businesses, and we are asking them to make a sacrifice,” Councilman Dene Bustichi said.
Several business owners along the race route had protested the idea, saying it would reduce traffic to their businesses and hurt their bottom line.
The race — set for May 15 — will require closing El Pueblo Road, Carbonero Way and the section of southbound Scotts Valley Drive between those roads from about 2 to 10 p.m. that day, a Saturday.
Boulder Creek rec center opposition organizes
A community meeting to discuss a proposed Boulder Creek recreation center will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at Boulder Creek Rec Hall, 13333 Middleton Ave., in Boulder Creek.
Opposition to the place where the recreation district hopes to build the 20,000-square-foot center — between South and Grove streets in the south end of Boulder Creek — has come from a newly formed group, the Boulder Creek-Brookdale Coalition of Concerned Citizens.
The group claims that a thorough site analysis and sound land-use planning were not used in choosing the site. It will try to convince the district’s board of directors to find a new place for the rec center.
For information: www.thepetitionsite.com/1/
stop-the-plan-now or bc**********@ya***.com.
Mt. Charlie Challenge seeks riders
The eighth annual Mt. Charlie Challenge Bike Ride, set for April 24, is looking for riders. The ride features scenic 100- and 50-kilometer rides from Skypark in Scotts Valley.
Riders will get T-shirts, goodie bags and the chance to win raffle prizes. There will be rest stops with volunteers and food, a support vehicle with emergency supplies and a barbecue lunch with music in Skypark.
The ride is Scotts Valley Educational Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser, with all proceeds going to the town’s public schools. Cost is $45 per rider, with a minimum commitment of an additional $55 in pledges.
For information: www.svef.net.
County agrees to buy rail line
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission made a preliminary agreement with Union Pacific Railroad that would have the county buy the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line for $19.2 million.
The price includes a payment of $14.2 million to the property owner and at least $5 million to make improvements to the branch line.
The commission decided to buy the 32 miles of line and 300 acres in Santa Cruz County to preserve the corridor for future transportation uses, including freight and passenger rail service.
Negotiations with a short-line operator are ongoing.
A public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, in the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 701 Ocean St., fifth floor, in Santa Cruz.
The transportation commission will make a final decision on the purchase of the rail corridor May 6.
For more information: www.sccrtc.org.
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