Why would one want to demolish the parking garage at Chapala and Canon Perdido? That and the likely loss of at least some of the public parking at Paseo Nuevo will make it harder for visitors to downtown to park, reducing activity on State St. instead of expanding it. That lot is also important for providing parking for the Tuesday and Saturday farmers markets. Would it not make more sense to locate the subsidized housing elsewhere?
It was going to be Santa Ynez kitchen. but at this point not sure.
Olio e Limone, Convivo, and Lucky’s (later in the week) would all be perfect.
I agree. I was pleasantly surprised with the Ellwood for relaxing lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Service was excellent.
Teri, that sounds like a wonderful event :)
Paseo Nuevo
Just a comment on your idea of a fundraiser where private chefs do all the cooking, this event already occurs in Santa Barbara . For the past 20 years or so, Youth and Family Services, a branch of the Channel Islands YMCA (which includes all the Y's from Camarillo to Santa Ynez) hosts this fundraiser where many local top chefs do the cooking for an amazing sit down 5 course meal, usually at the Rockwood Women's Club. It is typically in May. Funds go to services and programs run by YFS which helps at-risk youth and emancipated youth - Noah's Anchorage, a shelter that help at-risk youth; My Home providing transitional housing for homeless youth age 18-24 ; and an outreach to kids on the streets to name a few. The food is great, chefs so gracious and the evening is inspirational.
I think it’s clear this seems to be one of the few effective departments the city has. For 3 employees, I’d say they’re doing alright. Of all the departments, agencies, consultants, etc. we waste money on, this doesn’t seem to be one deserving of such harsh criticism.
I agree. More housing means more customers for businesses, which means a more vibrant area for residents and tourists alike to enjoy. And re: parking needs, walking or biking to the market are good alternatives ;)
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.
