Roundabouts should not have walls in the circular island until people no longer drive drunk.
3213 Cliff is divided into two parcels, with the other parcel assessed at $4,000,000. Your P13 argument stands, obviously.
Where exactly is the new Validation Ale going in?
Nice looking upgrades for 1919 and 1925 State. 1925 in particular is a welcome change. The entryway to that building has served as a homeless camp and human toilet ever since the doggie daycare vacated. It’s truly demoralizing to walk past human excrement on a regular basis so bring on the renovation!
Jeez they didn’t even replace a few rose bushes? What have they been doing for the past 10 years??? What a grift.
Hi Jenna,
What makes you think there is actual business to be done selling to vegans who are such a small demographic.
I have a wonderful idea. Why don’t you open up a place and offer the quality you speak of to the numerous vegans that will keep your business thriving?
I’m out!!
FoodieSB
I’ve never read a more comprehensive wine critique. Thanks Lisa for your enlightened judgement.
That's not true and also mean.
I'll have to give Gypsy Hill a shot! Related - anyone who loves sourdough should absolutely be supporting Riviera Bread. Order window opens online Sunday morning, closed Tuesday morning. Deliveries to various shops for pickup on Wed and Friday from Goleta to Carp, home delivery for an additional fee. Their sourdough may be the best bread currently being baked in CA - no joke. Literally everything we've had from her, down to the simple Sandwich Loaf, is utterly stellar. Don't sleep on the Sesame Spelt ring either, it's unreal.
The color of the bathroom of the Mission Canyon house......."Chewing gum"!
Greige or Putty
Yes!!
I think both La Cumbre and Paseo Nuevo could become great mixed-use hubs...housing, a little retail, restaurants, maybe communal work spaces. They both have the potential for vibrant "town squares". Add a water feature and lots of nice trees - and bring back some sort of bookstore with coffee house, along with the wine bars, etc.
Boulder is an example of a successful main pedestrian set up. On a recent visit there, I meet a former SB State Street shop owner (t-shirt, nice casual wear and home wear ) who mentioned the reason she moved to Boulder was that locals keep their shops alive outside the tourist season, much like the Montecito residents patronize their shops. She sadly faulted the SB residents for not patronizing enough their local stores.
???? agree! Very well stated. Santa Barbara is utterly depressing for lack of intellectual stimulation, community living, originality and creativity, all the good stuff was brought about in the past , the present is mute ( save the rare exceptions) - cheers from Antigua, Guatemala. :)
???? agree! Very well stated. Santa Barbara is utterly depressing for lack of intellectual stimulation, community living, originality and creativity, all the good stuff was brought about in the past , the present is mute ( save the rare exceptions) - cheers from Antigua, Guatemala. :)
How about a bit more joy, passion, creativity, fervor, appreciation and zest for life in our community? That would organically reflect in the construct of, and inject cheerful dynamics to our public spaces while enhancing our community’s quality of life and its economic welfare. For this to happen one may need to lubricate city administration and reform it’s dated ideas and rusty medieval bureaucratic gridlocks.
Rarely seen such poor job in what should be an example of urban development, historical and environmental conservation and an example to inspire.
In America one lives to work and Europeans work to live, most walk their urban landscape, in America one drives everywhere and that sole cultural difference is significant on how urban development and public landscapes are formed. That said the charm of European «flâneur» street life model is not so compatible with the traditional outgoing sporty southern California way of life - as fashionable as it appears, let’s face it, it’s not really the US way of « hanging out ». that said, creating innovative home grown original ( non Dysney or corny) cultural solutions to paste onto the State Street conundrum may bring our community a ray of sunshine and inspire some intellectual excitement. For the time being the option of strolling State Street for pure pleasure is quite disappointing to say the least - It just doesn’t make the cut - the sorrow of homelessness, the often pungent smell of booze and urine, a feel of semi abandonment, a grubby, poorly maintained landscape, it’s unattractive temporary outdoor dining solutions aka parklets, all depressing and unstitched.
Not a great outcome for a property + tax rich SB county that is seeking more revenue as in its ongoing Cannabis push fiasco (enough said) - retire or be inspired!
Thank you universe for the stunning setting and coastline you bestow upon us, wishing we could honor you with the spoils of human talent, inspiration and the dignity you deserve. No offense intended in my forthrightness, but let’s face it we could definitely do much better! So let’s! Cheers all!
Exactly what I meant.....thanks for the accuracy
It seems that the committee wants to turn State Street into a combination of Disneyland and Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. As you point out, if the businesses lining State Street can’t thrive, there’s no point to creating a circus in the middle. So wrong headed. Which is how it always seems to go in Santa Barbara. Tired of being disgusted by this city’s deeply dysfunctional government at all levels.
New Frontiers' prepared food section is quite appalling and disappointing in terms of sophisticated selections and how the staff does not seem to be well-trained in food safety and prep etiquette. They should take notes from Erewhon to see how it's done.
Christine, not sure why people think being vegan is "LA-esque" or snobby. Maybe if people were more properly informed about food then it would be viewed differently, embraced more, and offered more widely.
Not impressed with Pony Espresso's food options many, if not all, of which are not vegan. And yes, I've also tried... just to name a few ...
Peasants Feast (big thumbs down for service and quality).
Full of Life Flatbread (way too many chunks of meat ready to carve laying around, gross).
California Tacos (vegan burrito is soggy and soupy).
Panino (#24 greek sandwich sub cheese with avocado is ok and basic in an emergency but definitely not organic so the veggies are pretty lackluster in taste).
SYV would be a much better destination if it offered vegan options, showcasing what our local farms provide. I know many people who don't care to return precisely for the reason that vegan restaurant/bar options are scarce or not creative.
Funny, at first, I thought those rocks in the picture were tents and the guy on the right wearing a cap was a homeless guy going inside!
Besides that, looking over all the info and the comments, it really seems like humans have lost their way. It all seems so contrived and awkward in trying to figure out a tiny place like State Street. Nothing seems organic and the aim seems to be control. Street performers must perform on this elevated stage. Moments of joy and play will happen in this designated space. "Old Town" seems like a forced cliche. Why not just call it what it is, "Lower State"? So that means that the 400 block with the sex shop, tattoo shop, 99 cent store, cigar shop and various restaurants etc. is the entrance to Old Town? Then, Old Town stops where all the old buildings begin and that's called the Civic District? I don't get it. Perhaps, the agency hired to do the design for State Street are suggesting their preconceived ideas? That makes sense because they will have to show they earned their money.
Something in my soul tells me these plans are overly idealistic and shallow. What would the ancient Greeks and Romans suggest?
Lucky for me, I have lived and traveled to so many places such as Jerusalem, Paris, Rome, Venice, Hong Kong and Japan etc. In Barcelona, I got to experience Las Ramblas which is the most amazing and famous pedestrian street in the world. I doubt if the street performers there are forced to go to designated blocks to perform. It seems like they just pick a place and draw a crowd. Are those performers rich or poor? Who cares? Artists on the street add to the spontaneous vibrancy but I do believe they have a license and set up in an specific area. Europe is full of artists and vibrant energy but in Santa Barbara freely expressed art seems to be squelched by bureaucratic authority that kills the spirit of it.
On top of everything, we have the problems facing society at every turn including breakdown and collapse. Haven't you noticed? I wonder how the play zones will help? Will there be any intellectually stimulating areas? Oh well.
Over 25 years ago, I suggested in a public meeting with the Mayor that Santa Barbara install a Monorail system. It was totally feasible with the technology literally off the shelf. If only someone had listened. That would have put Santa Barbara even further on the world map. A monorail would have been playful and fun. If only...is it too late?
OK! Back to State Street dreaming. Please stand in this spot and feel a moment of joy. Feeling is the secret.
Maybe try New Frontiers- they have the sushi bar, hot bar and cold bar, always many options as far as I can see. Maybe try pony Espresso- they do breakfast & lunch. Vegans represent 4% of the population at this point- demanding a western centered populace provide this is a little LA esque.
The plaza needs no other option for dining- El Sitio is KING
What do they mean by amenities in the Old Town section? A giant area of public restrooms?
Who's going to maintain that? Will it be for visitors, drunken college students after a night
of over-imbibing, the unhoused?
So I guess the pizza place is leaving the corner spot in the Grocery Outlet building? Do you know if the brewery is taking the entire space from the corner down to the end (old Chinese restaurant space) ? I wonder if the liquor store is leaving too. Not exactly thrilled to have another bar going in this neighborhood
