District 4 Candidates Debate Cost, Funding of Santa Barbara State Street Master Plan

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The future of Santa Barbara's State Street Master Plan is emerging as a key issue in the District 4 City Council race, with candidates expressing support for revitalizing downtown while raising questions about the project's cost, funding and oversight.

At a recent candidate forum, Genevieve Taft-Vasquez, Monte Wilson, Jason Dominguez and James Altman, who is representing candidate Devon Wardlow, discussed their positions on the master plan and how they believe the city should move forward.

Taft-Vasquez said she supports the master plan but criticized money the city has already spent on penalties and consulting.

“I'm annoyed at the fact that we spent $750,000 on penalties and on consulting fees. Like, those things are really annoying to me, but I am definitely in favor of the master plan.”

Wilson also said he supports the plan but expressed concerns about how the city will pay for it.

“I do deeply worry about the funding for it, and especially was concerned when they started talking about taking some of the Measure C…”

The State Street project is expected to require significant investment as the city works to reshape the downtown corridor.

Altman said moving forward with the master plan is particularly important if Santa Barbara wants to increase housing downtown.

“A solid yes. I'm moving ahead with the State Street master plan, especially if we want to be building more housing downtown, parts that are really critical.”

Dominguez said he would prioritize the infrastructure portion of the plan first. He also called for additional City Council oversight if costs increase.

“I would support the infrastructure half primarily and first. But when we do this, I want to have a new City Council rule. When there's cost overruns over 3%, it has to come back to council.”

The candidates' comments highlight a broader debate over how Santa Barbara should balance downtown revitalization with fiscal oversight.

While the candidates expressed support for the State Street Master Plan, they differed on funding, project priorities and how closely the City Council should monitor costs.

The District 4 race includes Taft-Vasquez, Wilson and Dominguez. Altman is representing Wardlow in the race.

The State Street Master Plan is expected to remain a major issue as candidates campaign for a seat on the Santa Barbara City Council.