August 11, 2023
News Roundup
Another Step Forward for the Revamp of De La Guerra Plaza
Other recent news: the Planning Commission puts the screws to the 101 Garden Street hotel; more on Ocean Fathoms's misbehavior; the Santa Barbara News-Press's list of creditors; proposed improvements to Stow Grove Park in Goleta; the Santa Barbara Zoo's new red panda. 2
August 5, 2023
Montecito Under the Microscope
Other recent news: Spend the night at Gwyneth Paltrow's place; the long history of Goleta’s Orient Hand Laundry; a deeper look at a few hotel projects in the works around here; Opera Santa Barbara's new season; the end of Dirt-style dirt about who bought where; the Jeff Shelton revamp of the State Street undercrossing is finally proceeding. 6
July 30, 2023
The News-Press Bankruptcy Won’t Include Its Landmark Building
Other recent news: UCSB is developing alternatives to Munger Hall; recap of Santa Barbara County's cannabis mess; Dirt.com is being shut down; Hidden Oaks Golf Course update; hospitality developers buy Buttonwood Farm & Winery; the latest ruling in the legal battle over Hot Springs Trailhead parking. 1
July 23, 2023
Inside the “Floating Home” Docked in the Harbor
Other recent news: UCSB is said to have pulled the plug on its monstrous dorm; Sonos is moving its headquarters to Goleta; is the Santa Barbara News-Press's print edition dead for good?; favorable reaction to 37-unit W. Carrillo Street project; investigating the remnants of Japan's 1942 attack at Timbers; no reopening estimate for Highway 1 near Big Sur; pilot program for a downtown tourist trolley. 4
July 14, 2023
A Hostel Has Opened Near the Train Station
Other recent news: Recommendations for "36 Hours" in Santa Barbara; armed intruder on Sand Point Road; more on the Montecito Association’s push to block chain stores; Board of Supervisors staff members to disclose financial conflicts; Yardi Systems wants to convert office space into 374 apartments; more trouble for private investigator Craig Case; Santa Barbara Hives will close its State Street shop. 7
July 10, 2023
The Montecito Association Has Big Shoes to Fill
Other recent news: Lemondrop shop for tweens is going online-only; inside a colorful 1926 Montecito house; Ty Warner as comedy; 996 rental units proposed for S. San Marcos Road; profiles of artists Kellen Meyer and Sarah Klapp; "Museum of Nothing" exhibit at UCSB; pickleball drama at the Earl Warren Showgrounds; the recent buyers of a 1929 Hedgerow house; carrot industry putting the screws to the Cuyama Valley. 1
July 3, 2023
Détente for Ty Warner and Four Seasons?
Other recent news: A rundown of July 4 events; room refresh at the Fess Parker Wine Country Inn; the Santa Claus Lane Bikeway is open for the summer; county supervisors tighten renovation laws; Goodreads founders bought on Eucalyptus Hill; the scourge of pickleball noise. 2
June 28, 2023
State Street Promenade Extended for Three More Years
Other recent news: Parklets off State Street get a reprieve; architect suggests a different promenade design; Jeff Bridges bought in Hope Ranch; Fergie sold her Santa Ynez Valley ranch; photos of last weekend's Summer Solstice Celebration; eminent domain to be used for Goleta's San Jose Creek Multipurpose Path project; gay pride flags stolen in Los Olivos; the concert lineup at Ojai's Libbey Bowl; the tree of the month. 2
June 22, 2023
June 15, 2023
The Miramar Resort Hopes to Add More Shops, Restaurants, and Employee Housing
Other recent news: Santa Barbara to go after illegal street-food vendors; speed limit reduced on five city streets; marine mammals in distress; cannabis tax revenues continue to disappoint; the pole-dancing classes at Seventh Dimension Dance; update on the removal of oil industry infrastructure. 4
Burning Questions
- Why Are the Railroad Tracks Being Expanded Along Padaro Lane?
- Will You Explain the Plan to Adapt the Waterfront for Climate Change?
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
Recent Comments
It is kind of complex to tease out who bears the risks and benefits in these projects that have public and private parties involved. I… — SBradley
Very interesting. If Yardi is paying anywhere near $120M + $35M + $5.7M for almost 250k empty square feet, this is going to take a… — NuemanJ
I think some folks who would consider this is a windfall for Yardi may be overlooking two things: 1)The cost to Yardi to buyout AB's… — StanThompson
Just realizing I did not address your first point. The buildings on the property have been up for sale, and their value is also depressed… — SBradley
I think that the city's representation of this land as having ‘zero value’ is confusing because it sums together the value of 2 distinct things… — SBradley
No idea whether this is a good deal for Yardi or not. Paseo Nuevo has been available for sale since 2020 with no buyers -… — NuemanJ
I wish this same logic worked for Thrifty ice cream! According to the BLS inflation calculator, something that cost 5 cents in 1970 should cost… — Doug B
I'm unclear how bike lanes are related to maga. For that matter please explain how freeways and rail lines are remotely maga in a state… — Bettye Jones
Worth knowing about the Paseo Nuevo deal: the city is skipping the required competitive bidding process for this public land transfer by using the state-approved… — SBradley
This write up is such a biased take that sides with a handful of people. I imagine the people groaning about this project have a… — Yesenia G.