What a whirlwind of a week it’s been, especially with the unsettling, fiery plane crash near the Santa Barbara Airport that was seen — and heard — by so many people in the Goleta Valley.
In the cruelest of coincidences, hours later it was overtaken in the national news cycle by an even bigger aircraft tragedy on the other side of the country.
But Noozhawk doesn’t control the news; we only report on it.
And I don’t choose the Top 5 stories I recap in my weekly Best of Bill columns; you do, and then I follow your lead through our Google Analytics.
This past week, according to our WordPress analytics, Noozhawk had an audience of 204,331 readers.
Before we jump in, I must remind you that this is my opinion column, which I write in my civic capacity as Noozhawk’s publisher. It is not a news story.
1. Macy’s Building Set for Demolition After Report Finds No Historical Significance
A proposal to demolish what is now the Macy’s building at Santa Barbara’s La Cumbre Plaza has moved forward after City of Santa Barbara officials determined the structure holds no historical significance, our Josh Molina reported in a Noozhawk exclusive.
I could have told them that, but I’ve never been a fan of New Formalism architecture. It reminds me of all the cold, impersonal 1950s state government buildings surrounding our majestic Capitol in Sacramento.
The three-story building, constructed in 1967 for the late Robinson’s department store, could make way for “The Neighborhood,” an ambitious 689-unit housing project proposed by developers Matthew and Jim Taylor.
The project would transform part of the open-air mall at 3805 State St. into a mixed-use community featuring retail, dining, commercial spaces and public parks.
A separate housing project is planned for the former Sears building at the other end of the shopping complex.
While Macy’s currently holds a lease through 2028, the city’s 26-page historic resources report concluded that there’s no need to extend its lifespan.
“As a result of the lack of significant associations and architectural merit, 3805 State Street is not eligible for designation in the National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historical Resources or as a City Landmark or Structure of Merit,” the report states.
The structure was part of the post-World War II suburban retail expansion, first as Robinson’s, then as Robinson’s-May in 1993 and, finally, Macy’s in 2005.
The Taylors’ development plan calls for six buildings ranging from two to six stories, including 381 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom units, 17 three-bedroom apartments and 94 studios.
The proposal includes 39 units designated for very low-income residents, although city officials are working with the Taylors to increase affordable housing components.
City Councilman Eric Friedman, whose district includes La Cumbre Plaza, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement.
“City staff is still in discussions with the Taylors on how to improve the affordability component of the project and the additional community benefit items,” he said.
2. 2 Critically Injured When Plane Crashes, Burns on Bishop Ranch in Goleta
Two people were critically injured Jan. 29 when a small plane crashed and caught fire along Highway 101 in Goleta.
As our Tom Bolton reported, the single-engine Cirrus SR22 went down around 2:15 p.m. on Bishop Ranch, on the mountain side of the freeway between Los Carneros and Glen Annie roads.
The four-seat aircraft burst into flames upon impact, producing a large column of black smoke visible throughout the Goleta Valley.
Santa Barbara County fire Capt. Scott Safechuck reported that the two occupants — a 32-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man — were critically injured in the wreck.
They were transported by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, but their identities and current medical conditions had not been disclosed as of Jan. 30.
The crash ignited a small brush fire, which firefighters quickly contained.
The Cirrus SR22 typically is equipped with an aircraft parachute system, which is intended to safely lower the plane to the ground during an emergency.
Although authorities did not mention it, early photos and video of the wreckage taken before the plane caught fire appeared to show a deployed parachute on the ground.
According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft appeared to be performing a touch-and-go maneuver on one of the Santa Barbara Airport’s shorter runways before the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the circumstances of the wreck.
Because of the proximity to the freeway, the incident backed up traffic for miles. The California Highway Patrol briefly closed one northbound lane and the Los Carneros Road exit ramp.
3. Snow, Hail, Flooding Create Hazards for Santa Barbara County Drivers
An unusual winter storm system swept through Santa Barbara County on Jan. 26, bringing snow to San Marcos Pass above Santa Barbara, drifts of hail in Goleta, and flood warnings in parts of the Santa Ynez Valley.
As our Janene Scully reported, a morning car crash on Highway 154 near East Camino Cielo prompted warnings about snow and slush on the roadway.
One woman was transported by American Medical Response ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital with minor injuries.
The National Weather Service reported “significantly cooler weather” was to continue through midweek, with high temperatures in the 50s and lows in the 30s and 40s.
The county’s interior mountains were under a winter weather advisory with expected snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and wind gusts up to 45 mph.
Rainfall totals varied across the region, from a quarter-inch in Santa Barbara to 1.33 inches at Rancho Dos Pueblos on the Gaviota coast.
After a week of cool but dry weather, a slight chance of rain is in the weekend forecast.
4. Pascucci Restaurant in Downtown Santa Barbara to Close in March
Pascucci, a longtime fixture in Santa Barbara’s downtown dining scene, will close its doors in mid-March after losing its lease at 509 State St., our Josh Molina reported Jan. 28.
The restaurant, known for its fresh, locally sourced Italian cuisine, has served the community for more than three decades from three different locations.
Having started with a small seven-table establishment in Paseo Nuevo in 1993, owner Laura Knight later expanded within the mall before moving to her current location five years ago.
“We’ve had customers tell us that they came to us on a first date, then they brought their kids in, who are now adults and bringing their own kids in,” Knight said.
“We will miss all of it, and you.”
Several staff members have worked at Pascucci for more than 20 years.
Pascucci will continue serving customers through mid-March, with the exact closing date still being finalized.
5. BizHawk: Strip Mall in Goleta to Undergo Renovation; Some Tenants Moving Out
A significant overhaul of Goleta’s Target Shopping Center will begin in March, with the North Hollywood property owner planning extensive façade improvements that could displace numerous longtime tenants.
Merlone Geier Partners says 30% of current businesses won’t be returning to the strip mall at 6865 Hollister Ave. following construction, although some tenants told our Josh Molina that the turnover could be higher.
Several businesses have already received notices about the upcoming changes, with a few of them reporting increased rent proposals.
“The entire building façade is being redone,” said Soraya Sharifi-Slaughter, vice president of Merlone Geier Partners.
She noted that while some tenants may operate during construction, others will close temporarily for interior remodels.
Current tenants include Cajun Kitchen, Pollofino, Saigon Noodle House, Sam’s to Go and Subway.
The renovation is expected to be completed late this year, with Giovanni’s Pizza reportedly among the new businesses.
You may remember that the shopping center was once anchored by Kmart, which abandoned the site in 2018. Target replaced it the next year.
The other side of the center — home to Ca’Dario, Chipotle and Dune Coffee Roasters, among others — is owned by a different company.
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Good Reads
Don’t miss these six stories before you go:
» Poverty Rate in Santa Barbara County Climbs to Second Highest in California — Are you kidding me?! Staff writer Daniel Green reports on the shocking — and what should be embarrassing — details.
» Sales Tax Revenues Spark City Hall Debate Over Affordable Housing Priorities — After reading South County editor Josh Molina’s coverage of the feeding frenzy over Santa Barbara’s new sales tax revenue, that poverty rate is more understandable.
» Ray Ford: Lessons From the Palisades Fire — Outdoors columnist Ray Ford brings his unique perspective — and images and video — to the Pacific Palisades devastation.
» Cynder Sinclair: 3 Effective Ways to Donate to Los Angeles Fire Victims — Now that the sobering, long-range reality of the Los Angeles County firestorms has begun to sink in, columnist Cynder Sinclair shares ways you can continue to help with the recovery.
» Stretch of Highway 1 Focus of Safety Improvements After Series of Crashes — North County editor Janene Scully learns that Caltrans is finally going to do something about a truly dangerous stretch of Highway 1 near Vandenberg Village.
» SpaceX Rocket Launch Creates Morning Show in Local Skies — Janene writes the story on the Jan. 24 SpaceX rocket launch, but it’s the pictures of Noozhawk readers Ben Borowski, L. Paul Cook, Michelle Fry, Dennis Houghton, Jalene Jayaraman, Christopher Palmer, Michael Reese, Mark Reinhardt, Tom Rugg, John Tammela and Matt Udkow that bring it to life.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Transformation of Santa Barbara Waterfront Park into Chumash Heritage Site Moves Forward.
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What I’m Up To
Although I’m not looking for a free meal, I occasionally do have free time if you’re looking for a speaker for your club, group or organization and want to hear more about Noozhawk. Email me at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com.
- Feb. 11 — I’ll be talking entrepreneurship with students at San Marcos High School’s AAPLE Academy.
- March 31 — The Santa Barbara Yacht Club invited me to talk about the state of news media — and Noozhawk — at its Monday Forum.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
This from a guy who constantly yammers on about “accountability”: Californa Attorney General Rob Bonta Took Campaign Donation from Casino Operator His Own Office Was Investigating.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
My Instagram feed helped find a lost dog this past week. But check out the Surf n’ Turf Molcajete.
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Watch It
Hope — in the form of the divinely protected Stations of the Cross — rises from the ashes of what was Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Pacific Palisades.
