October 16, 2025
Tag: 505 E. Los Olivos Street
Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment Hits a Roadblock
Other recent news: Update on the apartment complex behind the Mission; SpaceX launches likely to increase; cannabis taxes continue to disappoint; converting downtown commercial buildings to residential got easier; new Santa Barbara Police Department headquarters delayed; rent stabilization ordinance faulted for lack of transparency; Lower Tunnel Trail reopened. 9
September 18, 2025
Indoor Pickleball Chain Has Plans to Open in Goleta
Other recent news: Update on the bill to stymie the development behind the Mission; Dos Pueblos Ranch has a buyer; Jensen Guitar & Music to close; new hotel in an unwieldy location; downtown Ventura zone will remain off-limits to cars; California considering strict defensible space rules. 10
September 11, 2025
State Legislative Move Could Block the Development Behind the Mission
Other recent news: Downtown parking lots may shift to "pay-on-foot" model; possible redesign of the Earl Warren Showgrounds; 956-unit Noleta complex to start construction; new pedestrian signal on Las Positas Road; Santa Barbara offering rebates for lawn replacement. 10
July 10, 2025
July 3, 2025
Conceptual Representations of Two Dreadful Builder’s Remedy Projects
Other recent news: The owners of the monstrosity behind the Mission haven't paid property taxes in two years; Goleta settles with developers of 56-home project next to Glen Annie Golf Course; city adopts sidewalk signage regulations; Highway 101 widening funded; Goleta's Independence Day drone show; new car wash; Lake Los Carneros footbridge still lacks funding for repair; another Trump administration threat to Los Padres National Forest; the tree of the month. 16
June 26, 2025
Paseo Nuevo Housing Ambitions Cut in Half
Other recent news: Mayor Randy Rowse is running for re-election; remembering architect Henry Lenny; architects and planners protest two misguided Santa Barbara developments; the Trump administration wants to allow new oil and gas extraction in the California Coastal National Monument and Carrizo Plain National Monument; a visit to the post-facelift Ritz-Carlton Bacara. 15
May 30, 2025
November 14, 2024
Caltrans to Install Underdrains at the Castillo Street Underpass
Other recent news: Hedgerow residents push back on plans to add dirt sidewalks; another look at the monstrosity proposed for behind the Mission; Mountain Fire update; no more fence around the huge Moreton Bay fig tree; X Games won't return to Ventura next year. 3
August 22, 2024
Opening Date for the Santa Barbara Public Library Plaza
Other recent news: The eight-story building proposed near the Mission; a bit of intel on the buyers of the former St. Anthony's Seminary complex; President Biden and his family are vacationing in the Santa Ynez Valley; feedback on the plaza to replace Franceschi House; Moody Sisters cottages istreated; the new Tilly Timms souvenir store; California Highway Patrol issued a ton of speeding tickets; driver crashes car and flees on skateboard. 5
May 6, 2024
A Santa Barbara Landmark Is Headed to Auction
The former St. Anthony’s Seminary complex at 2300 Garden Street will be auctioned off next month. This marks the second major change for the area around the Mission, what with a seven-story apartment complex proposed for the neighboring Mount Calvary Monastery property. 25
Recent Comments
The woman is...... interesting. Could have been worse. Imagine a man with a..... "projection" to hang a towel on....... — Judy's Older Brother
Thank goodness its not here, Ricks taking the hideous architecture on tour, it should fit in nicely in TO, they'll just have to paint it… — Alan
I’ve long thought the golf course is ripe for redevelopment. Though I do agree with the slippery slope concerns. That said, I am shocked to… — BW
Thanks for digging in. Seems the issues are all water related. I’m wondering if a preferred design context given the obvious constraints would be composting… — Daniel Meisel
True. But remote, if you want to be in a more urban part of SF. Remind me to tell you about the Kabuki in Japantown,… — Thomas Reynolds
I see you've been slumming it in our old town. The Huntington must have created more rooms; previously it was mostly suites, having formerly been… — Thomas Reynolds
The Presidio hotels in the Presidio are hands down my favs Erik! Big rooms (former army barracks), quiet - fantastic art installations in the hiking… — Leslie Westbrook
Who designed the rediculous improved street/parking configuration on Santa claus lane...there isn't enough room in the north bound lane to drive a car through...parked cars… — BeckyGallup
Their needs to be a better answer then just closing the rest stop. I do the drive almost daily and the amount of people I… — Derek
If you're asking about the Huntington Hotel, the Big Four is indeed the only restaurant and it looked the same to me (but has probably… — Erik Torkells