Santa Barbara City Council to vote on State Street Master Plan

The Santa Barbara City Council is set to vote on the introduction of the State Street Master Plan, with final adoption expected in mid-September. The plan aims to transform the downtown area between Gutierrez and Sola Streets through expanded sidewalks, retractable bollards, and divided paths for shuttles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Master Planner Tess Harris described the plan as a long-term vision for the next 50 years. While the redesign is expected to cost millions of dollars per block, the project anticipates adding approximately 2,000 housing units to the central business district, which would significantly increase the local resident population.

Local stakeholders, including the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association, have expressed a need for immediate, flexible solutions to address current circulation issues involving pedestrians, bicycles, and e-bikes. They advocate for a balance that allows for low-speed vehicle access and flexible closures for special events, rather than waiting for the full six-year implementation of the Master Plan.