State Street Sidewalk Improvements

New brick sidewalks, updated street furniture, and lush landscaping have revitalized outdated streetscape improvements in the 600 through 1200 blocks of State Street. Beginning in 1999, the first phase of the project consisted of improvements to the 1000, 1100 (west side only) and 1200 blocks of State Street, while Phase II included the 800 and 900 blocks, and Phase III, the 600 and 700 blocks. The project's final phase was completed in May 2002. The State Street Landscaping Task Force, with the benefit of assistance from the City's Public Works Department and extensive public input, was instrumental in developing the project design. The Redevelopment Agency selected Arcadia Studio (formerly Cunningham Design) and Penfield and Smith Engineering, Inc. to provide design and engineering services for all three phases of the project. The project has dramatically improved pedestrian circulation, and the new paving materials and landscaping accentuate the architecture along State Street. The new sidewalks have greatly enhanced the ambiance in the downtown area and encourage private improvements to State Street frontage properties, making them more inviting to the passerby. The total Agency investment for all three phases was approximately $4.2 million.

State Street Sidewalks

Cabrillo Boulevard Lighting Improvements

In June 1992, the Redevelopment Agency provided $180,000 for ornamental light standards to be installed on the ocean side of Cabrillo Boulevard in the Waterfront area. Prior to this, there were no streetlights on the ocean side of Cabrillo Boulevard between State and Castillo Streets and light levels were inadequate. The lighting was provided to allow a greater degree of public safety for residents and tourists in that area.


Cabrrillo Boulevard Lighting Improvements

Cul de Sac Improvements

The Redevelopment Agency successfully applied for and received a Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) Grant of $120,000 from Caltrans to improve the thee blighted dead end areas created by the completion of U.S. Highway 101 through Santa Barbara's downtown. These dead-end areas, located in the 300 Block of Santa Barbara, Anacapa and Chapala Streets, were run down, weed infested, and lacked sufficient light, making the areas dark and dangerous at night. Street and sidewalk improvements, including new streetlights, street trees, landscaping, and screening with vines along the freeway were designed to improve the safety, function, and appearance of these areas. The cul de sac improvements were completed in November 1996.

Downtown Street Lighting

In an effort to increase nighttime business activity and promote public safety, the Redevelopment Agency provided $225,000 to install ornamental street lights in the first block of the cross streets on either side of State Street between Ortega and Victoria Streets. As part of the Redevelopment Agency's ongoing commitment to providing infrastructure improvements that enhance the viability of the Central City Redevelopment Project area, the Agency budgeted $75,000 annually, over three years, to complete the lighting improvements. These funds augmented funds available in the Public Works downtown street light program.

Lower State Street Revitalization

600 Block

This was the first block to be improved as part of the Lower State Street Revitalization Project. Since the improvements included the removal of on-street parking along State Street, the Agency constructed a public parking lot in this block. Land was acquired and a surface parking lot was developed at the corner of Ortega and Anacapa Streets, including paseos that lead to State Street and the surrounding streets. The parking lot (Lot #10) was constructed at a cost of approximately $1.2 million, which includes acquisition and relocation expenses, and was completed in May 1980. With the completion of this public parking lot, construction began on State Street. The improvements included tile sidewalks, raised planters, increased landscaping and street trees, decorative fountains, new streets, lighting, and bike and newspaper racks. The 600 block was completed in March 1981 at a cost of about $600,000. In 1989, a parking structure was built by the Agency on the parking lot site. See Parking Lot 10 for more information.

600 Block Before

600 Block After

400-500 Blocks

Continuing down State Street after completing improvements in the 600 block, the Redevelopment Agency developed plans to improve the 400 and 500 blocks. The Agency began by constructing a surface parking lot at the corner of Anacapa and Haley Streets (Lot #11) in anticipation of eliminating on-street parking on State Street. With the goal of enhancing storefront visibility for passing motorists and pedestrians, the landscaping plans for the 400 and 500 blocks took on a more formal arrangement than those further up State Street. Fewer large raised planter boxes were used and the placement of the street trees was more symmetrical. Improvements also included new streetlights, terra cotta tile sidewalks and several decorative fountains. With lessons learned during construction in the 600 block, the Agency was able to anticipate the potential for disruption to merchants and shoppers. Agency staff worked with the Old Town Merchants Association to establish a promotional campaign to encourage customers to patronize the area during the construction period. This campaign included television advertising, newspaper display ads, and signs to direct shoppers to alternate parking locations. These blocks were truly transformed by the streetscape improvements. The project was completed in June 1988 for a cost of about $2 million. Old Town continues to thrive visually and economically as a result of this beautification.

00-300 Blocks

00-300 Blocks Before

00-300 Blocks After

This was the final phase of the Lower State Street Revitalization Project. The area along State Street between the beach and the freeway is particularly important because it links the City's main tourist/hotel population with the major retail area above the freeway. The Agency's goal with this beautification program was to promote the economic viability of the area and encourage individual property rehabilitation, thereby making the area more pleasant, appealing, and secure for residents and tourists. The improvements consisted of new streets, widened and newly tiled sidewalks, tile crosswalks, additional street trees and streetlights, new landscaping, street furniture, and artistic tile benches and bus shelters. These improvements were completed in July 1991. The construction of Parking Lot 12 in January 1992 was the final component of the lower State Street Revitalization Plan. The cost of the 00-300 block improvement, including Parking Lot #12 was approximately $4.2 million. See Parking Lot #12 for more information.

State Street Pedestrian Crosswalks

Until February 2001, the 400 block of State Street was the only block between Gutierrez Street and Victoria Street without a mid-block crosswalk. Recent years have brought an increase in the number of restaurants and bars operating in that block, and jaywalking had become a common occurrence there. In an effort to improve pedestrian circulation and increase public safety in the area, the Agency provided funding for a pedestrian demand (push-button) traffic signal to be installed. The new crosswalk extends the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere of State Street throughout downtown. In addition, the Agency is developing plans to replace six dilapidated crosswalks in the 400 and 500 blocks of State Street where over the years, broken tile work has been patched with asphalt. The crosswalks will be replaced with brick, which can be repaired much easier than the terra cotta tile. Funding has also been allocated for the design and replacement of all four crosswalks at the intersection of State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard.

State Street Newsracks

At mid-year, it was determined that the older newsracks on lower State Street and at State and Cabrillo Boulevards were no longer repairable and needed to be replaced. The newsracks would be the same style as those purchased and installed by the Redevelopment Agency as part of the State Street Sidewalk Improvement Project in the 600 through 1200 Blocks of State Street. In compliance with the Municipal Code and to maintain the appearance of these aesthetically sensitive areas, the Redevelopment Agency purchased 8 two-unit newsracks for the 400 and 500 Blocks of State Street and 3 four-unit newsracks for the State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard location. The Agency funded the purchase and the installation for $41,000. All of the newracks were in place by early June.

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