Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment Open Houses welcomes questions
Tracy Lehr
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.(KEYT) Artist renderings went on display at the first Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment Open House on Wednesday evening.
The poster-size images show the architectural designs that are not a done deal.
It will be up to the City of Santa Barbara to enter an agreement with investment firm Alliance Bernstein and Georgetown Company to develop the area between State Street and Chapala and Ortega and Carrillo.
The Planning Commission has already raised questions about the plan and now members of the public are welcome to ask questions, too.
The project would include the old Macy’s parcel and a part of Parking Lot 2, but it would not include the old Nordstrom.
The designs show renderings of more than 230 market rate housing units in the Macy’s parcel and 80 affordable apartments in the parking lot parcel.
Under a density bonus law the height could be up to 75 feet or seven stories.
Open house visitors gave it mixed reviews.
“In my humble opinion this is very good for Santa Barbara and again it accommodates the low income, plus the regular residents,” said Michael Afshar of Santa Barbara.
“This should be a public forum where the people can get up and say their piece, that is not happening today this in my world we call a snowjob,” said Brad Sweeney of Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara State Street Master Planner Tess Harris encourages people to share their opinions in a survey available online and on city handouts.
“Those surveys will go to both the city and the applicants after the next two days to look at and try to incorporate in the development going forward,” said Harris.
City Administrator Kelly McAdoo hopes people see the positives.
“There has been a lot of talk about how this could be a catalyst project for downtown and for State Street and I think really as a city we need to be focused on bringing more residents into downtown building housing because that will help us build the diversity of uses and really create a vibrant downtown.”
Another Open House will take place from Noon-1:30 p.m. on Thursday Oct. 16.
For more information visit https://www.santabarbaraCA.gov/PaseoNuevo
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