The heat wave has come and gone and fall is almost in the air. This also marks the fifth summer since the COVID-19 pandemic-driven closing of eight blocks of State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, and not much has changed.
Lots of dedicated and talented folks have, as volunteers, endured lengthy meetings and countless presentations in an effort to reimagine downtown.
A generous amount of taxpayer funds has been expended in this effort as well.
This is no easy task, as planning for changes in a built-out historical district is bound to be controversial.
Property values have been negatively affected and rents are commanding levels far below surrounding business areas. Public safety is somewhat hampered by the closure.
These are not desirable results.
In the meantime, an outside group has launched a spirited campaign to “Save the Promenade!” Currently, however, there is no “promenade,” only a closed street where pedestrians move along the sidewalks and free-range wheeled vehicles dominate the pavement.
Bicycles have been demonized in a city that has created millions of dollars’ worth of cycling infrastructure.
Where is the balance? Someday, perhaps, the utopian notion of a “car-free” city center may come to fruition, but there are many factors to consider. Circulation, engineering, economics and universal accessibility are currently lacking.
The present state of State Street is the result of a temporary declaration, and not a calculated plan.
State Street remains one of the more famous walking streets in the world, and is still the No. 1 visited location in Santa Barbara. Our historic district exists thanks to meticulous and deliberate planning.
The continued closure of State Street and the ongoing planning process are unrelated.
Reopening, cleaning and improving the lighting on those downtown blocks does not preclude the Master Plan’s eventual completion, and might just help spur economic recovery.
Let’s get to work on the street, ditch the k-rail barriers and invite everyone back downtown.
