••• “After Years of Debate, Santa Barbara Adopts Final State Street Master Plan [….] It includes a redesign of the 400 to 1300 blocks, with expanded sidewalks and travel lanes in the center of the street [….] but a few questions remain about vehicle access and how the city will pay for it.” Construction is expected to take at least six years. —Noozhawk
••• Professional soccer team “Sky FC has postponed its inaugural season for the fourth time since announcing the team in 2022. This time, the delay is due to its potential ownership group failing to come to terms with UC Santa Barbara on a ‘lease agreement that works with both parties,’ according to Sky FC. The organization is now searching for other potential ownership groups, and there is no longer a timeline for the opening season of Santa Barbara Sky FC.” —Noozhawk
••• “The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday temporarily halted new gun shop approvals and kickstarted a process to permanently buffer children from firearms retailers.” —Santa Barbara News-Press
••• “Construction on Goleta’s highly anticipated new train depot is now expected to be ‘substantially complete’ before the end of the year, city spokesperson Kelly Hoover told Noozhawk. The new full-service train station was originally expected to open this summer at 27 S. La Patera Lane, next to the existing Amtrak platform.”
••• “The Live Oak Music Festival, a beloved Central Coast tradition, will not return in 2027, organizers announced in a letter to the community on September 1. […] KCBX Public Radio cites loss of federal funding, rising costs, and declining attendance as factors in difficult decision.” —Edhat
••• “Equestrian Arena Coming to Santa Ynez under Agricultural Enterprise Ordinance [….] The plans for 3715 Baseline Avenue include a 45,000-square-foot enclosed building [….] The new equestrian arena is intended to hold up to 12 events per year. Events can include weddings, dinners and educational workshops.” —Noozhawk
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I didn’t realize there were so many horses getting married and seeking education.
Re: State Street
“City Administrator Kelly McAdoo added that the flexibility in the design allows future city councils to make changes based on changing conditions.”
Translation: there is no clear vision for this, and never has been, but we’re going to spend $100M or more to keep our options open until the time we have grownups on the city council who will figure it out.
Something I didn’t fully appreciate until watching the city council meeting is that 50%+ of the budget is going to stormwater and utility maintenance/upgrades that are necessary for public safety and to support additional housing projects downtown.
I was a supporter of the plan before based on the thoughtful pedestrian- and bike-friendly design alone. But that it will also unlock more people being able to live near and support businesses on State Street makes me so excited to see the city make this investment in out community.
Now, let’s just please keep it free of private vehicles and we’ll really have something special.
Ugh the golf cart-esque shuttles are so tacky. I hate it.