Tag: SIMA

August 14, 2025

City Council Approves 90-Unit Apartment Complex on Milpas Street

Other recent news: Library plaza picnic tables nixed; Gifford Fire update (and why the smoke hasn't been a problem here); developer slams city council; 24/7 cannabis operation denied; single-seat ultralight aircraft demo in Carpinteria. 8

August 25, 2023

Santa’s Convenience Store Is Coming to Town

Other recent news: Proposed State Street hotel gets paused by the Planning Commission; Santa Barbara and Goleta to work together on airport noise; the electric bike craze in Santa Barbara; city council to discuss the promenade every month; upper Jesusita Trail reopening delayed by easement owners; Carpinteria skatepark opens Saturday. 3

December 4, 2022

Proposed 66-Room Hotel Entails Demolishing the Press Room

Two years ago, SIMA began the process for a large apartment building fronting State and Ortega—and then pulled the plug when the city council agitated for more affordable housing. The solution? Make it a hotel. 15

May 25, 2022

The Bell’s Folks Are Opening a Bar in Los Olivos

More food news: Montecito vegan market to close; the Press Room gets a reprieve; Aspen restaurant now said to be taking the former Cava space; Merci's burger pop-up is coming back; profile of Bar Le Côte executive sous chef (and half of the Gomez y Gomez pop-ups) Luis Gomez; in praise of Pacific Pickle Works. 2

May 15, 2022

Fairview Gardens Has Closed for a “Major Redesign”

More food news: The Kitchen restaurant incubator appears to be off; downtown McDonald's to close in July; special Julia Child–inspired dishes on many menus this week; Provençal dinner by Two Baking Brits at the Daisy; Alma Fonda Fina appears to have hit a snag; Priedite Barbecue is smoking chicken; Hawaiian hot dogs at Hustle & Grind; Ventura's Model Citizen launches Sunday brunch today. 6

October 13, 2020

Partying in Isla Vista Continues Unabated

Other recent news: Santa Barbara school district mulls return to in-person classes; downtown developer says he'll pull the plug on a project (sparing the Press Room); design changes possible for State Street Promenade; rumored buyer of 237-acre Rancho San Carlos; people are shooting wildlife with pellet guns; Cottage Health is allowing limited hospital visitors again; Eco Friendly Cleaners profile; a big tree on Anapamu fell over; the tree of the month; school-board candidate Jackie Reid.

August 26, 2020

Development Slated for a Prominent Block of State Street

The 36-apartment project has an appealing solution to the challenge of a mid-block parcel, but it also requires the demolition of two buildings.