[Noozhawk’s note: One year ago, Santa Barbara architect Cass Ensberg proposed a number of straightforward recommendations to enhance downtown Santa Barbara and lure back locals while the city explores a master plan that is taking years to develop. In advance of the June 26 State Street Advisory Committee meeting, here is her plan — again.]
These State Street Plan “cocktail napkin sketches” from June 2023 were never intended to be considered a “master plan” for downtown Santa Barbara, although they certainly could be — restoration is a valid vision.
The primary goal was to study and illustrate enhancements that restore and promote the historic and world-renowned El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District (EPV) for all the community to want to go to and enjoy. They celebrate State Street’s unique blend of history, natural beauty, distinctive style, art and culture.
The sketches also illustrate the pre-COVID-19 street uses and circulation that, after five years, needs to be restored as the State Street Master Plan process continues to study ideas for beneficial change (Pro tip: add housing) that will also benefit El Pueblo Viejo.
Recommended Priorities
1. Include frequent, accessible El Pueblo Viejo Trolleys all day, every day.
2. Expedite outdoor dining permits on the public sidewalk as designated next to the building faces to be beautiful and appealing for people walking on the sidewalk.
3. Restore the Historic Landmarks Commission role and focus on preservation and design.
4. Include bikes as part of Santa Barbara’s bicycle network.
5. Resolve whether to include or not include private vehicles on State Street, with further expert and community discussion.
6. Recognize the powerful design of State Street as the straight shot that terminates at the Pacific Ocean, lined by street trees and historic buildings. Preserve the classic design with the centered vehicle lanes that create equal open space and access to buildings and merchants on both sides of the street.
Sidewalk Simplification and Beautification
1. Increase existing usable sidewalk areas for pedestrians, outdoor dining and retail display by:
• Removing clutter and excess or overgrown planted areas to infill with sidewalk brick.
• Reorganizing newspaper racks and trash receptacles.
• Take the opportunity to work with property owners.
2. Retain all street trees with minimal planted areas at the base or with decorative steel grates flush with the brick walkway.
3. Study expansion of sidewalks on the 1300 block of State Street to match and align with typical EPV sidewalk widths.
Paseo Enhancements
1. Prioritize implementation of cleanup and enhancements for public paseos and courtyards.
2. Prioritize focus on development of distinctive names and elements for existing public paseos and courtyards.
3. Add overhead tivoli lighting.
4. Incorporate Santa Barbara-themed murals by local artists.
5. Incorporate bold graphic walking surfaces, either painted or paved.
6. Incorporate signage with the unique name for each paseo.
7. Encourage private developers to include private paseos and courtyards on their properties, as allowed and as they see fit.
8. Create a Public Paseos & Courtyards map with distances for walkers, joggers and cyclists available everywhere, in printed form and online.
Mobility
1. Restore vehicular access on an uncluttered street for flexible multipurpose uses — open for circulation or closed for parades, markets and other special events — as we always have.
2. Provide accessibility and promotion of the EPV District with an accessible El Pueblo Viejo Trolley (that should be the name) on State Street between Cabrillo Boulevard and Sola Street with a new roundabout at each end. Alternatively, consider a loop up State Street and around to Anacapa Street that would drive by the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the Lobero Theatre, El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, El Paseo and the post office.
3. Double yellow, no passing lines and other lane striping is required. Future enhancements can include painted curbs and bold directional street graphics as illustrated on the cocktail napkin sketches.
4. Preserve the wide street for parades, marching bands, horses and general flexible use.
5. Consider art elements — such as gateways, murals and signage — that promote, inform, announce and enhance the El Pueblo Viejo Historic District.
Inclusivity
1. Allow slow-moving trolleys, bicycles and automobiles (as determined based upon further analysis) to share and enjoy cruising and checking out the street.
2. Study and find a way to provide bike lanes on north-south streets east of State Street to replicate the bike lanes on the west side at Bath and Castillo streets. Leave Anacapa and Chapala Streets as the main traffic circulation arteries on either side of State Street.
3. Restore parades on State Street in the El Pueblo Viejo.
Storm Water
1. Maintain and modify our existing storm water system of curbs, gutters and drains to direct rainwater to lower elevation areas designed with surface filtration gardens.
2. Reduce development burden for downtown properties by allowing some of the site drainage to go into the street drainage system via creative and artistic channels and spouts.
Addendum
I understand there has been recent interest in creating a town square for the community, and believe it to be an idea deserving of study for a good central location adjacent to State Street.
