A new $11 million transformation of the State Street undercrossing is coming to Santa Barbara.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a series of contracts that set the stage for wide sidewalks and bike lanes, elimination of traffic lanes, and new art and lighting at the undercrossing.

Jessica Grant, supervising transportation planner, called the project an essential link between downtown and the waterfront.

The vote was 7-0. Construction is set to begin in the fall and last 18 months.

“We are a city, but it almost seems like we are a small little town,” Councilwoman Alejandra Gutierrez said. “This is really exciting. A lot of locals are really going to be excited about it, but the tourists will, too.”

The undercrossing was originally built in 1991 as part of the Highway 101 improvement project that, among other changes, eliminated the traffic signals at several streets that crossed the freeway.

Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse said he is looking forward to the redesign and joked that if it becomes a hangout for people that the city could always pipe in music.

“If we get the repeat Barry Manilow loop, no one will hang out there very long,” Rowse said.

Santa Barbara City Councilman Eric Friedman called the area a gateway to Santa Barbara for tourists.

“If they see something that is beautiful and is up to the historic aesthetics of Santa Barbara that are internationally known, then they’ll be more inclined to walk underneath or bike underneath and come into the downtown area,” Friedman said.

Homelessness Efforts

Santa Barbara also renewed its partnership with the Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation (SB ACT).

The council agreed to a $75,000 contract to facilitate a community collaborative on homelessness and another $50,000 to run neighborhood navigation centers for six
months, with the option to extend for six additional months in the amount of $50,000.

The city began the partnership with SB ACT in 2020.

Among the success of the first three years of the program include the development of Dignity Moves housing downtown and the approval of more than 90 very-low-income housing units throughout the South County.

“I have been around for a few task forces and 10-year plans, and we are actually making more progress in this last year than I have seen in the entire time I have been around the city,” Rowse said. “I think we have engaged good partners and we have a much better strategy than before.”

Late Water, Sewer and Trash Bill Assessments

The City of Santa Barbara has resumed assessing late fees for past due water, sewer and trash bills. To avoid paying late fees or service disconnection, make sure that all utility bills are up to date by September, according to Lyndsay Mass, assistant finance director.

Ratepayers have the option to set up a payment plan or apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).

The LIHWAP helps low-income customers pay past due and current water/sewer bills and avoid service disconnections.

The city paused late fees and disconnects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Past due balances and the number of past due customers grew to historically high amounts since March 2020, Mass said.

The state Executive Order restricting water disconnections expired in January 2022. The city resumed utility bill late fees in July and then water disconnections in September.

To apply for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, call 211 or 800.400.1572 or download the “Water Assistance Application” at communifysb.org/enrollment-application.

To set up a payment plan, email the Utility Billing Office at utilitybilling@santabarbaraca.gov or call 805.564.5345.