08/29/2026
On September 1, Santa Barbara City Council will consider adoption of the long-awaited State Street Master Plan.
For those of us who have been deeply involved in and care about downtown, as many of you do, this has been a long journey. A tremendous amount of time, energy and passion has been contributed by people throughout our community.
We certainly haven’t always agreed on every detail—and I don’t expect we ever will. But after countless conversations, meetings, surveys and discussions, I believe there is far more that unites us than divides us: we all want a vibrant, welcoming and economically healthy downtown that serves our entire community.
DSBIA generally supports the plan and the significant investment it represents for downtown. As we look toward adoption, we’re advocating for a plan—and interim operations strategy—that supports the entire downtown district and can adapt as our community evolves.
Our priorities:
✅ Ensure State Street is truly flexible. The current Master Plan design allows individual blocks to open and close using intersection bollards, and we strongly support this flexibility.
Allow personal vehicles and shuttle access, paired with strategic, regular closures for events, designated days and weekends, and peak seasonal periods. Some blocks can be closed more regularly or longer than others such as in the entertainment district. We should also start testing flexible configurations in the near term.
✅ Support district-wide vitality.
Approximately 1,500 businesses operate in the area from Sola Street to Highway 101 and from Chapala to Anacapa. Access, circulation and economic vitality need to work for the entire district.
✅ Let data guide our decisions.
Measure visitation, economic performance, circulation and other indicators. Evaluate the results and adjust when necessary. We don’t have to predict today exactly what downtown will need 10 or 20 years from now if we build in the ability to adapt. Fortunately, if we fully utilize the design as proposed, that will be possible.
✅ Prioritize housing.
Thousands of new downtown homes may ultimately be one of the most transformational pieces of this plan. More housing strengthens our broader economy, helps our friends and neighbors stay here, allows our businesses to thrive and creates ripple effects throughout our community.
✅ Design for safety + accessibility.
State Street must safely serve pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities, transit and vehicles.
✅ Protect what makes State Street special.
Parades, farmers markets, outdoor dining, community celebrations and the traditions we love should—and can—remain part of downtown’s future, along with so much more new programming for the community to enjoy!
✅ Create clear, predictable timelines.
Businesses, property owners and residents need certainty around interim operations and the rollout of major capital improvements.
And the street design is only one piece of creating a successful downtown.
DSBIA continues to advocate for better e-bike management, more housing, faster and more predictable City permitting, and increased police presence—while investing directly in daily cleaning and maintenance, window beautification, paseo lighting, safety initiatives, downtown events and expanded marketing.We are also working hard to bring back the holiday parade on Dec. 4.
Together, we can build a downtown that attracts even more investment, helps businesses thrive, welcomes locals and visitors, safely serves all users and preserves the traditions that make Santa Barbara special.
No single design or policy is going to make everyone happy. What matters now is that we create something flexible enough to evolve, measure what is working, make adjustments when it isn’t, and keep working together to move forward. Let's do this SB!
We have an opportunity to build a downtown that attracts even more investment, helps businesses thrive, welcomes locals and visitors, safely serves all users and preserves the traditions that make Santa Barbara special. We have made major strides this past year. Help mekeep the momentum going and advocate for short- and long-term flexibility in the design and management plan.
📣 Make your voice heard before or during the council meeting September 1 at 2 pm, 735 Anacapa Street.
Email Santa Barbara City Council at [email protected] and CC [email protected] so we know you weighed in.
Learn more about the State Street Master Plan via the council agenda link below. The State Street master plan is item #9.
Video
https://youtu.be/2SMDw3bt9L8?si=bSxmNdlTDpmnIBYU
Learn more:
https://www.downtownsb.org/article/dsbia-s-position-on-the-state-street-master-plan
Regular City Council Meeting - 9/1/2026 2:00:00 PM -
Link to Council Agenda
https://docs.santabarbaraca.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=1187&doctype=1&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_CKvMkdjpMyGFZyCjQAx_M-UKLKbDx39GnBDc1jXOT73ndOw5swyX56uPrUiqmusOQdL6y
DSBIA's position on the State Street Master PlanAs the City Counci...
