Love to see the redevelopment of Paseo Nuevo geared toward housing. Whether it's luxury, workforce, or affordable, we just need more high density units built downtown. Next, let's do the surface parking lots in the area!
And having a market and gym as anchors is smart as they'll invite repeat visits throughout the week for residents. I live downtown and personally would shop at either option mention, but welcome any grocery option that could be successful in that spot (Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Lazy Acres, Sprouts, etc...)
I was also very relieved to read Councilmember Sneddon's comments in the Independent that, "images of cars on State Street in the renderings were 'not indicative of any plans' to reopen the street." For me, that would be a dealbreaker.
Pretty crazy that the low income building will block all the southern views from the Canary hotel. That’s messed up.
From Noozhawk
--Santa Barbara has collected $823,795 in outstanding taxes, interest, penalties and fees from short-term vacation rental owners since it began the enforcement program in 2019. That includes $487,393 from properties in the coastal zone and $336,402 from properties in the inland area.--
Collecting taxes and fees owed to the city from scofflaws is not a bonus for the city's coffers. Taxes are the only real source of revenue! Your post is akin to praising your gardener for raking the dead leaves. That's his f'n job!
A quick search on AirBnB for a week in Oct in SB lists 602 units available and yet the city only collected from some 230 over the last 5 years? Sorry BW but your math doesnt math...
Don't forget the millions of dollars spent on outside consultants to "reimagine State Street" and thousands of staff hours spent on all the community charrettes to accomplish.... what?
So well said and on point 100%.
Let’s add in the trashed beach from fiestas and the and imaginable amount of dyed confetti and sillystring and plastics littering everywhere along Cabrillo Boulevard, especially the planter. Like every year, they will do nothing to clean it up. It’ll eventually just bllow into the ocean in 8 to 10 months just to repeat next year.
A green city that cares about its people.
The illegal vacation rental task force is bringing in 10x what it is costing us while barely tapping into its allocated budget. So it is in fact one of the success stories of our local government.
The language from the Independent is muddled. The 80 affordable units are being built at a separate site (parking garage at Chapala and Canon Perdido) and are not included in the 233 units proposed to sit on the Macy's building location as the Independent headline would make it seem.
The rendering looks great. I agree with Erik it seems dubious an Erewhon on Eataly would want to be situated at that location. I'm not sure I even understand where people would park to frequent a market like that. It sounds like the existing foundations will remain unchanged, therefore the number of parking spots at Paseo Nuevo would be unchanged and many would likely need to be used for residents.
All of that said, I would love to see more development like this for State Street. Getting more people to live downtown feels like the only way to make State Street viable again. What is the latest on the Nordstrom building? More apartments, right?
Sure makes total sense. Let's put low income, subsidized housing next to an Erewhon.
Meanwhile down the hall at city headquarters, three people are paid to look at AirBnB all day, every day and yet still miss 80% of the listings. Somehow...
Honest question. Is there anything that the City of Santa Barbara does well and on budget? Other than spend money we dont have on things we dont need while paying themselves more than any other comparable role receives anywhere, in the entire world.
At least the city has $500k sitting around to give to orgs that promote tax fraud and illegal immigration. You'd think the hotels, restaurants and general contractors would be the ones paying to help their so-called "employees". Nah. Instead, the cost is forced upon the hard working, law abiding people who pay the taxes that pay for things like roads, firefighters and city worker salaries while the profiteers are allowed to carry on with no penalty. Nothing to see here folks, just another day in pearl clutching, virtue signaling, do-nothing Santa Barbara. At least we have the world's best weather. Luckily, there is nothing the city can do to 'f' that up. At least for now...
What is the name of the restaurant that has taken the space formerly occupied by Via Vai? Is it open?
Opal & Scarlett Begonia have nice separate dining room.
Yes, Convivo is a great choice. We just celebrated our mother’s 87th Birthday with a party of six at the Elwood and she loved it! The staff made her feel special.
I bet they’ll have heat lamps outside
Agree with the comment about Clark's, music is too often loud. All good recommendations but I would add Convivo since they have a great lunch (and dinner) menu and a beautiful view. Also Local can accommodate a larger group inside or out and we're liking their new chef/direction.
La Paloma and Lure both have small private rooms that would fit 7 people.
I had the opposite reaction: this seems brilliant. The home in question is right near the water treatment plant and various on-call staff can use this as a base versus driving home to Oxnard, Lompoc, etc. On-call maintenance staff can’t afford living in SB. Hotels are not alway available, especially in a major evacuation. So cops, etc. could use this place, too.
Jane (Downtown) is a lovely lunch spot for all ages.
I just love the name "squished meatball" sandwich ;-)
I mention gallery shows when I think they sound interesting, and yes, in my opinion, Sullivan Goss tends to have more along those lines. (It's also much more proactive about getting the word out.) But I've certainly mentioned shows at many other galleries (in recent months, Caldwell Snyder, Seimandi & Leprieur, Tamsen Gallery, Art & Soul...). Your best bet is to sign up for updates from the galleries themselves (or follow on Instagram), so you can decide for yourself what you think is worth a visit.
Clark’s is super loud. Friends who asked about moving to a quieter part of the restaurant were told “that’s the ambiance”
@N both Local and Ospi have lovely small private rooms that would be perfect for a luncheon.
That’s disappointing news about Jeannine’s on Upper State.
It seems like Sullivan Goss gets a lot of coverage in your newsletter. Are they the only legitimate gallery in town? Or do they just have an effective outreach/PR team? I’m genuinely curious—have stopped by a few of their shows because of Siteline and would love to learn about more high quality gallery events around town!
What a waste of taxpayers money !
Why don’t you just put people up in hotels on a as need basis, unless the city has an extra two million to just throw around, we have to question some of the ideas that some these people come up with..
👍🏻
We love sitting at the bar (made out of sea glass) at Ospi, ordering the Pepe-Roni pizza and enjoying a basil margarita with salt foam. It's not too expensive and a fun date night!
