March 31, 2023
News Roundup
A Move to Expand Use of Earl Warren Showgrounds
Other recent news: Santa Barbara County added more sites to list of potential housing; the political fight over ambulance and EMT services; Gibraltar Road closure could extend beyond a year; Maroon 5 to headline One805 benefit; Montecito Collective and Waterhouse Gallery open on Coast Village Road; actor Timothy Bottoms wrote a novel set on Stearns Wharf. 2
March 24, 2023
March 19, 2023
The County’s Cannabis Situation Continues to Stink in New Ways
Other recent news: Santa Barbara Airport is working on a terminal expansion and more parking; Solvang lost $538,000 to phishing; Butterfly Beach water closure due to sewage spill; the recent buyer of Oprah Winfrey's Hedgerow property; the Grace Fisher Foundation Inclusive Arts Clubhouse has opened; new pickleball shop. 7
March 10, 2023
$500,000 Donation Made Toward Expanding the Arroyo Hondo Preserve
Other recent news: The Miramar resort parking lot could be developed for employee housing; the city of Santa Barbara wants more involvement in the proposed La Cumbre apartment complex; swim platform in the works off Montecito; 2023 Fiesta theme and parade route; the return of the Starr King Rummage Sale. 6
February 27, 2023
Developers Officially Submit Plans for Resort on the Carpinteria Bluffs
Other recent news: Locals flock to mountains to look at snow; big trees down in Shoreline Park and on E. Anapamu Street; elderly woman abducted outside Smart & Final; owners of four corner stores share their stories; the tree of the month is the black acacia. 5
February 17, 2023
An Effort to Preserve 48 More Acres of the Gaviota Coast
Other recent news: HBO will adapt "Empty Mansions" into a series; a step forward for the De La Guerra Plaza revamp; Santa Barbara County might partner with San Luis Obispo county on a desalination plant; Montecito fire chief announces retirement; final oil piers removed from Haskell's Beach; the Garden Street Dog. 2
February 10, 2023
February 1, 2023
Downtown Apartment Complex With No Parking Moves Forward
Other recent news: A look back at the Potter Hotel; profile of local author Kyle Seibel; Aga John rug store has closed; neighbors concerned about Santa Maria housing for the homeless; new online map shows which trails and roads are open; the recent buyer of a $12.5 million beach house in Carpinteria. 1
January 25, 2023
The Results of a Community Survey About State Street
Other recent news: The buyer of Ellen DeGeneres's Ennisbrook hacienda; 82-unit apartment complex on Milpas gets final design approval; bike lane construction to start on W. Mission Street; Santa Barbara Central Library has partially reopened; Santa Ynez now has a cannabis shop; revised Munger Hall design expected this summer; the tree of the month is the Kentia palm; St. Regis Princeville Resort to become a 1 Hotel, with a focus on wellness. 3
January 19, 2023
Highway 154 Has Reopened
Other recent news: Untreated sewage spill affects Montecito beach; Santa Barbara County to get federal storm relief; harbor to be dredged next week; Goleta Beach Park is closed for "emergency beach nourishment"; several radio station still off the air; no word when Route 150 between Carpinteria and Ojai will reopen; Santa Barbara Museum of Art sued over Egon Schiele drawing allegedly stolen by Nazis; Cabrillo Boulevard arts and crafts market to get reorganized; Summerland oil seepage is likely natural. 1
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.