Santa Barbara City Council Approves State Street Master Plan
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council voted 6- to 1 to approve the final State Street Master Plan.
Only Mayor Randy Rowse voted no.
The vote follows comments for and against the plan and a final presentation by the Master Planner Tess Harris and consultant Stefanos Polyzoides that focused on its flexibility.
It included stormwater analysis, pavers, gravel storage, drywell and bioretention systems.
Thanks to retractable bollards and other parts of the design it could be changed for special events.
“I just could not be more elated what is next to come is building it getting it under construction,” said Harris.
“I think there is enormous possibility for this to become one of the great project in the state and country over the next 20 year,” said Polyzoides.
He also called it an admirable decision for a city that pioneered State Street ideas over the last century.
“This is an extraordinary city, a world class city, the best downtown in California and it is ailing and it is not ailing because of cars, it is ailing because of the e-trade, because of the size of some of its buildings being too big.”
He called it a crucial moment in time.
“One of the great decisions for the council in the future [will be] how to get this project executed,” said Polyzoides.
It can be done in three phases along the 8-block stretch.
The plan is estimated to cost nearly $100 million and take six years or more, but supporters believe approving the plan will pave for investments and grants.
Critics raised concerns about cost.
“This will be a huge detriment to all the 50 plus businesses on State Street that are against this plan. I see this as a huge mistake for Santa Barbara for businesses and our city in general please this contract and plan,” said Rosalie Hardoin.
Other critics said now was not the time to vote on a vision plan when forecasters are predicting rainy El Nino year ahead.
But supporters talked about the visionaries who built spaces like Central Park.
Another supporter read from a Santa Barbara Master Plan from 1964 that sounded as ambitious as the master plan.
“You have moved this plan forward at every step, and now I’m asking you to take the next step waiting will cost us momentum, funding and people ready to build,” said Sharon Rich of Friends of State Street.
Although the consultant said the plan is not about the closure of State Street to cars, that it what a majority of the public comments discussed.
Councilmembers are likely to talk cars, traffic patterns and fundraising strategies at a later date.
The Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Downtown Improvement District Robin Elander said she is ready for the next step downtown.
“This plan makes a major investment for down significant step forward and I’m excited.”
The council vote also amends Title 31 of the Santa Barbara Municipal Code that addresses what is allowed on State Street.
The plan will be officially be adopted with a vote at the next city council meeting on Sept. 15.
For a link to the plan visit, https://statestreet.santabarbaraca.gov
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