STATE STREET
IS BROKEN

It’s abundantly clear that State Street is not as it should be and the City Council clumsily attempting a solution.

Let's tell City Hall to get to work and Fix State Street!

Let’s take a look at where we are at.

A dysfunctional State Street Advisory Committee that has accomplished nothing and is no more than a façade so they City Council gets what it wants. The City Council’s solution to this? Another committee…..

An $800,000 consultant that is only telling the City what it wants to hear, conveniently leaving out the failure of 90% of pedestrian malls in the US.

A poorly put together proposal based on alleged support from an unscientific online Doodle poll. C’mon – we can do better than this.

A complete disregard for any opposing viewpoints.

The City Council’s Solution? Place a big, red bow with a huge price tag on State Street instead of addressing the real problem: Housing. Instead, they are gambling taxpayer dollars on something that won’t work.

It’s almost as if they forgot about Paseo Nuevo.

SIGN THE PETITION TO FIX STATE STREET

The only clear understanding at this point is the City Council is ill-equipped to handle
this level of city planning.
Why can’t they understand the risks?

Risks

Only looking at the few successes rather than more frequent failure is short-sighted

The City truly only need to look at our failure of Paseo Nuevo, which has one foot in the grave

If that isn’t enough, we can look to our neighbor to the south. Ventura’s Main Street may work for them, but have you been there recently? The bar scene has caused more trouble than it’s worth. Stores are being broken into, bars are experiencing a new level of danger, there is vomit on the streets, and major public safety concerns

Want more? Go to Santa Monica with their promenade devoid of life, vacant stores and crime

The City Council’s plan will require more police and fire – something that can’t even fully fund right now!

They City Council should instead focus its attention and finite resources to address public safety, homelessness and housing

The City Council is essentially picking winners and losers with a plan that works for a few, and not the many. They need to remember they represent ALL OF US, not the select few.

Please don't Santa Monica our Santa Barbara

We love Santa Barbara – our special gem on the Central Coast.

There is nothing wrong with holding on to our traditions We want parades, cultural events, cars shows, and everything that

makes State Street special

We all love outdoor dining, no one wants that to go away

We can have that Street that works for everyone. A State Street that:

Continues our beloved parades, cultural events, car shows and everything else that makes it special
Brings back the trolley system that we all miss
Promotes bicycle usage
That allows space for everyone
That keeps outdoor dining
Preserves our storied history

We have a model that we know works – lower State Street. Let’s try that before the City Council
makes a risky gamble.

Let’s address the issues that truly matter: public safety, homelessness and affordable housing.

Let’s attract new business to bring new life, instead of scaring them away.

Let’s keep Santa Barbara Special.

HOW

HOW DO WE FIX STATE STREET?

EXPAND SIDEWALK DINING

Let's do what already works! The City can mimic Lower State Street with expanded sidewalks and little obstruction allowing for plenty of outdoor dining and pedestrian traffic.

CLEAN UP DOWNTOWN

The existing parklets are unattractive and do not match the beauty of downtown. Permanent sidewalk dining is the best of both worlds - outdoor seating and safe flow of traffic on State Street. .

MAKE STATE STREET ACCESSIBLE

The current setup for State Street isn't working for anyone. We need a safe approach that allows access to more shopping and dining opportunities pedestrians, bicycles and cars.

WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT WORKS - LOWER STATE!

Help the City stay on budget and focus on other priorities.

The remodel of the 101 to the waterfront is a success with its wide unencumbered sidewalks, 2 lanes of traffic and bike lanes

Expand outdoor dining on our existing wide sidewalks and maintaining architectural standards

The City can copy this which will enhance State Street and maintain the experience of a classic downtown

Hover over the images below to view our proposed changes

to Fix State Street!