This is the best thing since sliced bread. I watched all of the meetings about this project, the Planning commission was absolutely ghoulish in their delight when they approved it on a 7-0 vote. Then chairperson Debra Schwartz stated, "In all my years on the Planning commission this was the best presentation I've ever seen." At that point I was reaching down to pick up a shoe to chuck at the tv. Earlier in the meeting the person from the Cearnal Collective showed a series of renderings, the most notable was "the view from the 101." (this is when I took off my shoes) I thought, who's looking around while driving that section of the 101? And now I think we all know. . . that monster of a project on Gutierrez & State. Also a four story apartment building that is CLEARLY visible from the 101! Have we not learned that bigger is NOT better? And last week SIMA spokesman Jarret Gorin was at the city council with plans to build a multi-story hotel just a few blocks up State. . . Really??? So long to the Press Room. . . By coincidence current councilmember Mike Jordan was on the Planning commission back when they fell over themselves in approval of SOMO. . . when it went before the ABR there were 164 written letters submitted, all but two were against the project and those two in favor were from the Housing Authority. I don't know anyone that was in favor of the SOMO project. (other than Mike Jordan) It was so big, way too big for the site. This news that the property has a new owner is welcome to me, like a sliced loaf of bread from Helena Bakery. Finally, maybe the owners of the Press Room can find a spot in the F. Zone for the building. Pick it up, put it on a huge flatbed trailer and bring to the FZ.
the sports complex was moved to the Far East end of Montecito CC. You can no longer see or hear it..
South of Montecito Street.
Yes, I’m wondering how it got the name SoMoFunk?
I don’t recall a street around this area starting w/ “MO” that this street is “SO” of? (As in NoHo/SoHo, SF)
Then please enlighten us on why it was a terrible decision.
Well Jefferson, this KEYBOARD WARRIOR does know the owner of the property. And I know based on a first hand, yes, a conversation I was a part of, that my comment is spot on.
So Jeff, before you tangle with this KEYBOARD WARRIOR, you need to be first hand informed before you respond to comments. Now you have a good day!!
These buildings are part of what makes the Funk Zone the Funk Zone. While they are certainly not the highest and best use of the land, they do create a place where people want to hang out and relax at. A high end hotel with insane prices for a room and high end restaurants are not going to be what attracts locals and visitors to come to the area. Hell if I want to go to some high end douchebag filled bar I can stay in my own town of San Luis Obispo for that.
The Zone abides, hopefully the new owner abides as well.
I'm always impressed with the keyboard warriors who somehow know all the unpublished details and future plans of a private individual they do not know, so much so they can confidently cast judgement that it's a "terrible business decision".
Did someone say “Obscenely underdeveloped”
Nicely spoken.
Oh and while you remove the rubble of what was once pleasant, please remove the “C” from Charm. You guys are doing a great job.
I won’t hold my breath but this sounds like great news! Fingers crossed. Even the name SomoFunk was cringe. Hope this is the last we hear of it.
The property owner where Via Vai is located has made a terrible business decision. Greed or just plain stupidity, take your pick. Now there will be at least four vacancies in the center.
Not closed yet but the Mozilo house just above the Montecito club went under contract in a hurry. I hope they like the sound of pickleball...
Hey Mike,
No one is forcing you to go to these places that charge you $19-$20 for a sandwich. Stop complaining about prices and just go to subway sandwich.
GQ
According to what I’ve read that is not who will be housed there. It’s single individuals. Not families. I may be wrong but that’s the reporting I’ve seen.
Can someone kindly put me in touch with the broker that represents the space of Via Vai?
Wealthy developers are Siteline’s jam.
It's 19/26 dollars for a hamburger at most non chain restaurants . If it is good, it is worth it.
Enjoyed everything about Azul, especially the service. Hard to find such good service it seems. I'll be back for sure. Felt extremely welcome and attended to. Not too much, not too little, and very friendly. The food was delicious.
You got it!
Is this the bench down on Cabrillo just before the Visitor Center and Garden?
Bagels at Yetz are the real deal. You simply cannot get anything like them west of NYC. Daniel is such a super-friendly guy and so excited about his latest creation. Isla Vista is not the end of the world. Believe me, it's worth the trip!
It’s easy to imagine the place filled with homeless winos, but if you consider that 30% of the homeless in Santa Barbara are children you have to change your thinking and realize that this will get families out of their cars and into decent shelter.
At first, I thought this was said in jest, but nope. Says everything you need to know about New 33% More Filler Vacuous Downtown Santa Barbara that helps no one except rich people who don't live here who know how to out-lawyer us:
“The Press Room and the parking lot next to it are clearly in the center of town and are an undeveloped parcel sitting there right now,” Jordan said. “Regardless of whether you are going to save the Press Room or not, that is just obscenely underdeveloped as to the best use for where it is right now.”
Remember that scene in Idocracy where the Costo is something like 5 miles long? Let's just get it over with and make downtown SB one huge stucco building from Mission to the ocean, Milpas to the 101, and be done with it. I'm sure the same person owns 99% of downtown anyway.
I’m with you Mike! Support local Three Pickles. Their Ruben is $12.95. I just can’t support these inflated prices.
Maybe if the Ruben, as shown in the photo, is a triple decker! LOL! Well then you can share with 3 people and, now, THAT would be a deal!
Wexler’s are coming up from LA with their high inflated prices!
Support our local delis like Three Pickles, South Coast Deli…
