Future of De La Guerra Plaza starts to take root

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - While the future design of De La Guerra plaza in downtown Santa Barbara starts to take root, close to 50 trees will be uprooted to make room for the project. 

On Wednesday, the City of Santa Barbara's Parks and Recreation Commission approved the removal of 49 trees around City Hall in preparation for the De La Guerra Plaza Revitalization project.

"We're creating a pedestrian only space that's going to be incredibly flexible," said Brad Hess, Principal Project Manager. "It's going to create great activity for the community. Part of the landscape plan is to really create a nice, clean, open space."

Of the 49 trees slated to be removed, three will be relocated and 45 new trees will be planted. Hess explained that the city needed the commission's approval to remove the trees to complete its application for the revitalization project.

"We're in design review right now. Our application hasn't been completed yet. Once it is, then there's a long process between now and construction which is when those trees would be removed," said Hess.

During Wednesday's meeting, Hess presented preliminary designs for the De La Guerra Revitalization Project. The footprint of the project includes De La Guerra Street, De La Guerra Plaza, Storke Placita and the Anacapa Street side of City Hall.

The proposed project includes a water feature, a pavilion with a stage, seating areas, three gender-neutral bathrooms in Storke Placita that are self-cleaning and public art pieces.

These art pieces include art medallions on the ground and a Chumash Mosaic incorporated into the water feature. The project also includes underground trash enclosures for surrounding businesses. 

Of the 45 new trees to be planted, 23 will be palm trees. Hess explains palm trees were selected for their ability to provide shade to the plaza and ability to highlight and frame the historic buildings surrounding the plaza. These buildings include City Hall, Casa De La Guerra, and the former Santa Barbara News-Press building.

Hess hopes to begin construction on the project in May 2025.