After twin disasters Mayor Cathy Murillo sees an upbeat outlook for 2019

Coming off of back to back disasters in the Santa Barbara South County area, Mayor Cathy Murillo sees a better outlook for 2019.

She says the Thomas fire and Montecito mudflow over the last 13 months were devastating to the area.

Now she sees a comeback not just downtown but in other locations.

Murillo expects new businesses and a fresh look to emerge in the downtown corridor where there are more than 20 vacancies including several large stores such as those than once housed Aaron Bros., Staples, and Macy’s. The nightclub sites Blush and Tonic are also vacant in the 600 block. Pop up businesses have proven to be a quick way to stir a new economy and she expects to see that concept expand.

Murillo also says the council will be announcing the site for the new police headquarters in the next few weeks. She says it is leaning towards the corner of Cota and Santa Barbara streets which is a city owned parking lot now. The project will take two to three years.

Improvements should also be finished on the art museum, library plaza and at the waterfront the Cabrillo Pavilion which is undergoing and 18 month renovation.

Her goal for homeless services includes a new day center for those who are chronically sleeping on the streets in the doorways of State Street businesses.

Murillo also says the council will take applications for an open seat starting next week and make an appointment in February to fill the spot held by Gregg Hart who moves up to the Board of Supervisors.

Later this year a regular election for that post will be in front of the voters.

The city is also expected to approve more small and larger affordable housing projects in 2019.