Capitola council approves release of wharf master‑plan RFP, directs staff to keep terms flexible

Capitola’s City Council voted unanimously April 23 to release a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a private partner to help design, finance and operate a conceptual Wharf marketplace and restaurant detailed in a new master plan.

The council’s action follows a staff presentation and design briefing from Fuse Architecture, which described a hybrid of previously favored options that would add public restrooms, boat storage, lifeguard facilities and a flexible marketplace culminating in a conceptual 4,800‑square‑foot restaurant. Dan Townsend of Fuse said the hybrid concept increases functional space and estimated construction costs in the range of roughly $5.8 million to $6.2 million.

Council members pressed staff and the architects on scale, fishing uses and lifeguard visibility. Council member Westman said members should avoid presenting the renderings as the only option for developers and asked that staff rewrite the RFP to be less prescriptive. "I don't want to see us limit ourselves in who can come up with ideas for what they would like to see on the wharf," Westman said.

Staff told the council the RFP and master plan are conceptual and intended to advertise possibilities rather than bind a future developer to the exact renderings. The plan calls for a developer to fund construction, secure entitlements and operate leased space while the city would likely retain ownership of restrooms and any lifeguard facility.

Public commenters who have ocean‑rescue experience urged the council to prioritize lifeguard sight lines and year‑round operational needs, and others asked that fishing uses remain prominent and visible. Fuse’s presenters said the design includes transparent roll‑up doors and circulation intended to keep fishing activity visible and accessible.

The council moved, with a second, to authorize staff to send out the RFP with explicit direction to "loosen up" language so the solicitation remains flexible; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said proposals would be due in late June, with council review of proposals expected by late August or early September.

Next steps: staff will publish the RFP and return to council with bids and a recommended developer; any binding lease or entitlement decisions would require future council approval.