Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Fri, Mar 05, 2010 @ 12:04 PM
Article Contributed By: Justin Vorhees
New developments can bring much positive change to a community, as is true for the proposed Aptos Village in Aptos, 
CA. The plan calls for taking the existing Aptos Village, as well as the empty dirt lot that surrounds it, and developing them into a quaint yet bustling town center that will serve as a wonderful meeting place for all of those who call Aptos home. It will bring a true downtown and homey feel to what is now a few shops and restaurants along a windy road. It also means mountain bike jumpers will get an opportunity for a new, permanent mountain bike jump park.
One of the dirt lots that will become part of the Aptos Village is currently home to some of the most famous Mountain Bike jumps in the world. Who would have thought that a small town like Aptos could be home to such world renowned talent? The fact is 
that the Aptos Post Office Dirt Jumps have been the breeding ground for nearly 20 top professionals. There are constantly articles on mountain bike websites about these famous jumps and the riders who call them home, as well as those who travel from all corners of the globe just for the chance to ride them.
What has made the jumps so amazing is the uncanny work ethic of the locals. There is a strict" No Dig No Ride" policy in effect meaning if you want to ride these magnificent dirt sculptures, you must help build or maintain them.
The work ethic and passion of riders who follow strict to "No Dig No Ride" is what will keep Aptos famous for jumps. There is a dirt lot nearly a few hundred yards away from the existing lot (soon to be developed) that is slated for a skate park or other progressive activities - even the potential of a Dirt Jump park. 
I have talked with the local jumpers about this, and while they are sad that all their hard work will be gone, they realize they are lucky to have had it for so long and look forward to the opportunity to start from scratch and build something even better. And thanks to photographers like Justin Brantley, the whole world will watch the evolution of the new Dirt Jump mecca.
If you want to see the mountain bike park in action, check out this YouTube link. Click Here You can see the long, narrow 1-story building that is also part of the development site. This building is The Apple Barn which will be re-used in the Aptos Village plan.
If you'd like to learn more, contact Justin Vorhees @ jvorhees@barryswensonbuilder.com or 831-475-7100
Posted by Jessie Thielen on Thu, Feb 11, 2010 @ 12:20 PM
This morning (2/10/2010) the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission unanimously approved the County led updating of the Aptos Village Plan. This approval marks the first step in the approval process with an impending hearing date with the Board of Supervisors on February 23rd, 2010 at 1:30pm at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on the 5th floor of 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, CA.
There were between 20 and 30 speakers from the community that commented on the plan. The majority of speakers favored the plan. Discussion ranged from concerns about existing traffic issues within the Village, parking, potholes in the existing street scape, concern about existing vacancy rates in commercial buildings in the area to concerns from the community on whether or not the park planned for future dedication would be a skate or bicycle jump park.
Property Owner and Developer Barry Swenson Builder was very satisfied with the results of the hearing and looks forward to moving the mixed use project forward toward eventual PUD approval after which the owner will be able to break ground on this infill project. Barry Swenson Builder envisions the site upon full build out with local serving retail and office space to complement the planned housing units surrounding a village green at the heart of the community.
Today’s approval sets a positive momentum moving toward Board of Supervisor hearing in late February.
For more information and updates on the Aptos Village Project, please contact Jessie - jthielen@barryswensonbuilder.com
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