Popular Santa Barbara Courthouse Tower Reopens Wednesday with More Access
For the first time, the elevator at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse goes all the way to the viewing tower. The project will provide access for the disabled. Until now, the elevator only went to the fourth floor, and the tower was a 12 step climb after that.
The project cost $1.69 million. The county says the elevator modernization project was paid for by a combination of federal stimulus dollars and bond money for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance work.
Among the first persons to use the elevator and take part in a ribbon cutting was Bonnie Elliott who is in a wheel chair.
She said in 30 years around Santa Barbara she had never seen the view from the five story high tower.
“We get to see all the lucky views too. It’s special to be included in this, because this is a beautiful billion dollar view,” said Elliott. She plans to come back often.
The event today was ceremonial with several county officials on hand.
The official opening of the tower and new elevator system will be Wednesday.
Courthouse docents say there are more than 100,000 visitors to the landmark building annually. It is one of the top three sites tourists see when they are in Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce says the reopening of the tower and the increased foot traffic in the courthouse area will also help area businesses above Figueroa St.
