More time requested to evaluate the St. Mary’s plan for mental and homeless facility in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After a proposal that caught many people off guard, some key players are getting deeper into the plan that could create a mental health and homeless facility in the Santa Barbara foothills.

The St. Mary's Seminary, closed for years, is the targeted site where it sits for sale on Las Canoas Road.

Santa Barbara downtown property owner Richard Berti has put up $435,000 to hold the property in escrow while the county and city officials, along with several groups familiar with these types of facilities, do an evaluation.

The first timeline is about to run out, and a letter has been sent asking for a 45-day extension. That would keep the evaluation period open until about the end of the year.

The price tag is $14 million.

"If he (the seller) gives us another 45 days we will keep on working. If he doesn't it is over with," said Berti.

St. Mary's is a 35-acre site with 55,000 square feet of buildings, including living areas, a large chapel and a recreational building with a full-sized basketball court.

Recently Sheriff Bill Brown called upon various organizations familiar with homeless services to tour the site and report back on operational costs and possible services.

Santa Barbara County is receiving federal dollars for homeless services and a portion of that money could go towards this project. Those familiar with the talks say the county has offered $1 million so far.

Commercial Realtor Jason Jaeger with Jaeger Partners is facilitating the access and discussions, and efforting the timeline extension. He is also with the Santa Barbara Leadership Group.

"Mental health, mental illness, homeless, a variety of different groups somebody can use this for a great cause," said Jaeger.

He says the Sheriff has asked for several aspects of the project to be reviewed. "A subcommittee of finance, the operations and the construction. So that is very positive," said Jaeger. "In addition to the county providing a million-dollar commit."

Part of the vacant seminary has been upgraded to show what it could be once fully restored.

Jaeger said, "So we are evaluating handicapped upgrades, does an elevator need to be installed?"

In other areas of the property, he said, "Using the gym to really help with rehab and the wellness center is the message we want to send."

Berti said those on the site would not be coming and going regularly and there would be focused programs.

"I think it would be a great facility for people with a mental problem that can be fixed. Military people that have post-trauma, people that had a bad financial experience and went into the homeless life and ended up going down and down. We can pull these people up and put them back," said Berti.

A unified approach from the government and non-profits could be the answer with this site. "Having everyone collectively together just insures the success of this project," said Jaeger.

Neighbors have expressed some early concern. They say the plan has not included their input. They also worry about fires, traffic and other impacts to their area.