Santa Barbara City Council favors future with State Street promenade and parklets
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-During the COVID19 pandemic the Santa Barbara City Council quickly opened up blocks of State Street to outdoor dining and closed it to cars.
On Tuesday night Santa Barbara City Council members voted 5-2 to direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance to continue the promenade closure, revised vehicle configurations and parklet on other city streets until December 31, 2026 or until the Create State-State Street Master plan is adopted.
Before approved several motions relating to parklets Santa Barbara city council members listened to two hours of public comments.
Critics shared their concerns brick and mortar business.
David Weinert of David Weinert & Associates said he believes the big box spaces that used to house Macy's and Nordstroms would be easier to fill if cars full of possible customers could drive up and down State Street and see them.
"Retailers are not going to go on a closed Street, " said Weinert.
He said a majority of closed streets fail.
"It is going to be 75 to 80 percent vacant and it is going to be a disaster," said Weinert.
But supporter of the promenade and parklets overwhelming outnumbered the naysayers.
Rose Garden silent disco owner Sara Wylder said, "Retail is dead because of Amazon, not parklets."
But Weinert disagrees.
"Brick and mortar retail is thriving in this country, people don't think of it this way, but brick and mortar was 92 percent of retail sales before the pandemic and now it is 86 percent."
He said digital makes up the balance.
Wydler and others believes the parklets and promenade bring joy, unity and fun to the city and she is not alone.
"I think these parklets and these opportunities for outdoor dining give us an opportunity to experience the beauty of Santa Barbara and be in community with each other," said Vivian Storm.
The drag entertainer remembers waiting for tables inside restaurants before the promenade opened.
"The wait times are crazy, if we take away those parklets," said Storm, " And I think we are in a time when we are extremely inpatient we want to see change very quickly and I think this is what the challenge is."
The owner of the Rose Cafe on the Mesa agrees.
"I think people prefer to sit outside these days without it i"m afraid my business might not do as well, " said Ralph "Lalo" Barajas.
Katherine Pieron quoted the Sex Pistols song Pretty Vacant during her two minutes.
"Oh we're so pretty, oh so pretty, We're vacant," said Pieron.
She said she prefers the Solstice Parade on Santa Barbara Street like is was over the weekend.
The parade was moved due to the State Street closure.
Others called the closures a lifeline during the pandemic.
Councilmember Eric Friedman said talked to people in San Luis Obispo and wanted to see a compromise.
Before voting against two motions to create ordinances Friedman said he would be termed out by the late 2026 date.
Mayor Randy Rowse opposed the main motions, too.
The former restaurant owner walked State Street before the meeting and didn't like seeing the vacancies.
"We have to do something different, I cant possibly support the status quo," said Rowse.
The council also voted in favor of bringing back a committee that will pave the way for pilot programs and safety considerations such access and concrete K-rail barriers.
"K-rails are something on the off State Street that is really important because we need some kind of a safety mechanism," said Downtown Organization Executive Director Robin Elander.
DJ Chris Benedict, who gets around in a wheel chair, said he would like the parklets and promenade to be safe.
As the meeting wrapped up locals and tourists alike seemed to be enjoying the closed off portions State Street.
For more from Tracy, follow her on Twitter below:
Follow @TracyLehrNews
