••• Every week or two, someone asks when the ornate Mission Inn (on State Street between Islay and Pedregosa) will be done. I tried reaching out to owner Dario Pini to no avail, but someone on site told me the other day that the rooms are basically finished, and the hotel should be open in six months or so. I may have to book a room just to get a better look.
••• According to the February 2 agenda of the Architectural Board of Review, the office building at 114 E. Haley Street is likely to be converted to a 37-room hotel. That corridor would really be better served by housing.
••• The Free People store on Los Patos Way has opened. It has a lovely outdoor space… for men to wait while women shop?
••• Trevor Noah returns to the Santa Barbara Bowl on August 1 and 2.
••• The Radius Commercial Real Estate’s year-end report says that UCSB added yet again to its holdings downtown with the purchase of 25 W. Cota Street and 530 Chapala Street.
••• Cottage Hospital is looking to expand. From the Planning Commission’s February 5 agenda (rendering by Cearnal Collective):
The 2.4-acre lot [at 419 W. Pueblo Street] is currently developed with the Cottage Hospital Pueblo Parking Structure (containing an 1,840-square-foot bike parking room and a 1,210-square-foot retail space), an 8,202-square-foot childcare center, a 19-space surface parking lot and a 188-square-foot storage structure. The proposed project includes demolition of the 19-space surface parking lot and 188-square-foot storage structure and construction of a 6,847-square-foot two-story childcare center building. The new building would expand the existing 8,202- square-foot childcare center, which provides childcare services exclusively for Cottage Hospital employees. The new building is comprised of a 4,882-square-foot ground floor childcare center with a 410-square-foot lobby and 1,667-square-foot second floor office area, and an outdoor play area within the interior courtyard.
••• Tangerine Falls has been highlighted in social media in recent weeks, and now someone has created a makeshift sign pointing the way. I strongly advise against it. Back before the series of storms came through, I tried hiking there and aborted midway. I have since learned that the land is private, the trail is unmaintained, the risk of ticks is high, and I was lucky not to run into poison oak. (After I wrote this, a hiker had to be airlifted out. Don’t let that be you.)
••• I received an envelope with cash—and no other identifying info—at my P.O. box, which was quite a surprise. If it was meant as a tip, thank you! (And if it was meant as a bribe, no thank you!) As much as I appreciate the gesture and cash, there’s really no need for anyone else to follow suit.
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Omg the Mission Inn has been under construction for 10 years! What is the story behind this place!? Bizarre !
They could have finished that hotel a year ago if they didn’t put ornamentation over every square inch of the building. I have never seen a building in Santa Barbara (yes, even Jeff Shelton buildings) with so much STUFF on it. The street elevation is tame enough but if you go fill up at that gas station and look at the building…yeesh!
I have been hiking the front country trails for 5 decades and I cannot recall that the Tangerine Falls trail has ever been maintained. It has always been a very rough “use” trail with lots of scrambling and loose rocks. Of course the falls can be seen in several places from the West Fork trail. Regarding trail ownership, this article by Ray Ford provides a nice summary: https://www.noozhawk.com/ray-ford-who-owns-the-front-country-trails/
That hotel has had to pivot and submit new plans for expired permits. I heard they had to add an elevator some years back due to new codes.
I suspect the owner doesn’t really care and may be punishing the city by delaying and keeping it an eyesore. The city keeps a close eye on his projects due to so many issues in the past. A very contentious relationship.
Watch out.
We all know Dario Pini’s reputation.
I’m curious to find out what it’s like staying overnight at the Mission Inn. When I’ve pumped fuel at night I’ve noticed they use natural gas flames to light the building. In my opinion the reflection look like the entire place is on fire. Curious the look from inside the room at 2am as a drunk tourist.
I thought Dario’s properties were all still managed by the court-appointed receiver. Has that arrangement ended?
Erik. Glad to hear someone gave you a tip! You deserve it. That said, if you don’t need the cash, you (and anyone else for that matter) can send it to me! :)
More and more hotels.
The anti-AirBnB crowd is quiet, curiously. The city used to claim the “housing emergency” was the reason homeowners could not rent short term…but new hotels? No problem.
It’s gross. Restricting property rights for the small guy only.
Agreed, why this town always sells out to the tourist trade is sad. This should be a town built for residents, not visitors.