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Construction of the Punta Gorda Street Bridge Replacement and Sycamore Creek Channel Improvements Project is substantially complete. Punta Gorda Street has re-opened to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic. Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) Route 2 will be restored to Punta Gorda Street effective tomorrow.
Our community is doing a great job reducing water use during the drought and is encouraged to keep up the good work. Significant savings were achieved throughout 2014, with an average reduction of 23% from July through December. For updated information on monthly conservation and reservoir storage levels, visit our drought page.
On February 24, 2015, construction will begin to install a Bikestation® Module and to bring the City Parking Lot 3, located at 9 W. Figueroa Street, into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Bikestation® Module will replace the three existing wooden bike lockers and provide a secure building for bicycles. The Module will promote alternative transportation throughout the region. The ADA-related work includes construction that will address disabled parking space locations, dimensions, and accessible paths of travel.
The City of Santa Barbara will hold public information meetings on Wednesday, February 18th and Thursday, February 26th to discuss the drought, desalination, and proposed water rates. Both meetings start at 6:00 pm and will be held in the City of Santa Barbara Council Chambers at 735 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101.
The number one community college in the nation is also the 2014 City of Santa Barbara Water Hero! Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is being honored for its commitment to improving sustainability efforts on campus, reducing water usage, and retrofitting facilities.
To avoid sprinklers coming on when it's raining, get a free rain shut-off sensor from the City of Santa Barbara Water Conservation Program. A rain shut-off sensor automatically stops the sprinkler timer from watering during and immediately after a rain event. When the collected rainwater has evaporated from the device, scheduled irrigation resumes. Rain shut-off sensors work best for short periods; for extended rain periods, it's best to turn sprinkler timers to the "off" position.
We all know that the drought has taken a toll on landscapes, and many residents have let their lawns go "gold" in an effort to conserve water. As we continue into the winter months and hope for more rain, now is the perfect time to consider ripping out that dead lawn and replacing it with water wise plants. In this episode, we'll take you through the process of retrofitting your landscape to make it more water wise.
The City reminds drivers that if they encounter a dark intersection where the traffic signals are inoperative, it must be treated as an all way stop. When traffic lights are inoperative, failure to stop at the normally controlled intersection prior to proceeding through the intersection when safe is a citable offense [Vehicle Code section 21800 (d)(1)], and carries a $238.00 fine.
Chef Robért Perez of the downtown Seagrass Restaurant and sister restaurant The Black Sheep cut his water use and his water bill by 50%! Click here to read more!
The Transportation Division reminds citizens that regular daytime street sweeping will be cancelled on Thursday, December 25, 2014 in observance of Christmas Day, and on Thursday, January 1, 2015 in observance of New Year’s Day. Parking enforcement for street sweeping in the posted Thursday zones will also be cancelled that day. However, ALLother parking restrictions will be enforced.
An announcement of street sweeping cancellations is available on the Street Sweeping Hotline, 897-1903, and all the street sweeping holiday cancellations are listed on the City website: http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/pw/stmain/street_sweeping/street_sweeping_cancellations.asp.
Contact: Nick Cabugos, Street Maintenance Supervisor
Phone: (805) 897-2541
Email: NCabugos@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Most City offices and facilities will be closed from December 24, 2014 through January 2, 2015. Office will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2014.
Please call 560-7505 to report damage or repairs needed for the following:
Thanks to the recent rain, your sprinkler timer should remain off until your soil dries out. The general rule of thumb is for every inch of rain we receive, watering should be delayed one week. For the approximately 2 inches we received recently, timers should be turned off for at least 2 weeks for your thirstiest plants.
City and Fire Area residents desiring sandbags for protecting their property will open at 7:00 AM on December 11, 2014, in the City of Santa Barbara's Corporate Annex Yard, located at 401 E. Yanonali Street. Under City policy, the Sandbag Station is opened after confirmation by Public Works staff of an official local Flash Flood Watch issued by the National Weather Service.
The next phase of the Entrada de Santa Barbara Project has begun. The first phase of this private development project, the west side of State Street public improvements, was completed in 2013. The Entrada Project includes 124 hotel units, 22,326 square feet of commercial floor area, a new 264 stall parking garage, and associated public improvements on lower State Street, East Mason Street, and Helena Avenue.
Trees and water are both precious resources. Learn how to care for and water your trees during the drought. When we water wisely and maintain our trees carefully, we enjoy a wide range of benefits at a low cost and with little effort. Read More ...
Construction on the Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge Replacement project will begin this week. The City of Santa Barbara has selected Lash Construction as the general contractor to replace the bridge located on Cabrillo Boulevard between State Street and Helena Avenue.
“The Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge over Mission Creek, originally built in 1913, will be replaced in three stages so that we can keep Cabrillo Boulevard open with at least one lane in each direction throughout construction. During the first phase of construction, utility relocations will begin, Mission creek banks between Cabrillo Boulevard and State Street will be improved, and the patio and a portion of the building at 15 East Cabrillo Boulevard will be removed as it is connected to the existing bridge. Cabrillo Boulevard will remain open with alternating lane closures as needed through the first stage of construction,” said Adam Hendel, supervising civil engineer at the City of Santa Barbara.
A water budget and separate irrigation meter can help customers with large landscapes manage water use more efficiently and lower your water bill. The City will create a specific monthly landscape irrigation budget based on property size, plant types and weather conditions. Watch the Video ...
The City of Santa Barbara’s Traffic Engineering staff invites residents to a Public Workshop to discuss a potential traffic safety improvement project for parts of Cliff Drive. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Monroe Elementary School auditorium at 431 Flora Vista Drive. Maps and drawings will be available for staff to review with residents, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Through funds from a state grant, the City is pursing design proposals and environmental clearance for a multi-use path to be constructed on Las Positas Road from Modoc Road to Cliff Drive. Intended for use by bicyclists, runners, and pedestrians, the path will connect to the regional Crosstown and Coastal Bike Routes.
Through funds from a state grant, the City will install sidewalk along the east side of Milpas Street, from Cabrillo Boulevard to Highway 101. Pedestrian lighting will be added on both sides of Milpas Street, and sidewalk gaps will be filled on Calle Puerto Vallarta, connecting Milpas Street to Dwight Murphy Park and the Santa Barbara Zoo. Read More ...
The City of Santa Barbara will be sponsoring a series of workshops on sustainable landscaping principles this fall including graywater, drip irrigation, lawn replacement, and rainwater harvesting. For more information, check the calendar on WaterWiseSB.org or click here.
The City of Santa Barbara installed a bike corral yesterday on the 100 block of Canon Perdido near Santa Barbara Street. Bike corrals are in-street bicycle parking areas that typically replace one or two automobile spaces in commercial areas where a significant number of bicycle trips are present. Other cities around the country have implemented bike corrals, mainly to respond to business and community desires to increase parking capacity – in this case 14 new bike parking spaces.
With a recent state grant award, the Montecito Street Bridge Replacement Project will replace the very narrow bridge with a wider structure to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. A new sidewalk on the bridge and on the roadway approaching the bridge will also be installed. This project will improve pedestrian safety near the Franklin and Cleveland Elementary Schools.
“Bici Familia” turned out to be a popular addition to the third annual Santa Barbara Family Day & Health Fair on September 13, 2014. The health fair was a collaborative effort of the City, County, Public Health Department, Santa Barbara County Office of Education, the Unified School District, American Indian Health Services, and Cottage Health System. Bici Familia is a free, bilingual bike skills class for families that was paid for by City of Santa Barbara Public Works Department and run by Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBIKE), and the Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST). About 115 local residents (95 of them children) participated in the bicycle training classroom instruction and on-street skills class and over 100 helmets were fitted and given away to class participants.
Contact:Peter BrownInterimMobility CoordinatorPhone: (805) 987-2669Email: PBrown@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
The lower State Street area will undergo multiple construction projects this fall, including replacement of the Mason Street and Cabrillo Boulevard Bridges over Mission Creek. The bridge projects will coincide with several private projects in the area, including the Children's Museum, Entrada de Santa Barbara, and the 101 State Street Hotel Project. City staff have planned traffic control and hauling routes to minimize disruption and keep the public safe while work is being conducted. Read More ...
Did you know that over half the water used in our landscapes is lost to runoff and overspray? It's time to get water wise, and it's never been easier to replace your sprinkler nozzles than right now. Get up to 25 free water-efficient sprinkler nozzles by visiting FreeSprinklerNozzles.com!
The Green Gardener Program educates landscapers, gardeners and homeowners on landscape practices that save resources and prevent pollution. The course will offer sessions in English, Spanish and a bilingual option. The fee is $35. Participants can enroll by coming to the first class on September 8 (Spanish) / September 10. Read More ...
The Transportation Division reminds citizens that regular daytime street sweeping will be cancelled on Monday, September 1, 2014, in observance of Labor Day, and parking enforcement for street sweeping in the posted Monday zones will also be cancelled that day. The residential areas with regular Monday street sweeping affected by this cancellation are the Eastside and the Samarkand neighborhoods. However, ALL other parking restrictions will be enforced.
This project introduces a new groundwater well at Ortega and Laguna Streets, creating an additional source of water for the City. The project began with drilling over 600 feet underground last summer. The second half of the project now underway involves the installation of control systems, piping, a motor and pump connecting the new well to the Ortega Treatment Plant and the City's water supply. In the interim, a temporary pump will be installed and is expected to be running over the next few weeks.
The California Transportation Commission awarded the City of Santa Barbara $8.614 million in Active Transportation Program (ATP) funds to implement four capital projects. The City will receive more per capita than any other jurisdiction, and nearly 4% of the $220 million available in the state. The complete list of ATP projects can be viewed here.
The City of Santa Barbara Water Conservation Program and the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Santa Barbara County will present a free one hour public workshop, “Luscious Lawn Alternatives & Cash for Your Grass!” on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 10:00 am.
The Public Works Department’s Engineering Division will begin their annual inspection of the wastewater collection system (sewer) pipeline in July 2014. Inspections are scheduled to occur at various locations throughout the City over approximately four months. The majority of work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In some locations, work may be performed outside of those hours to avoid impacts to traffic on busy streets. Businesses and residents near each inspection location will receive notice 72-hours prior to the start of the inspection. Short-term parking restrictions may be required; however, driveways will not be impacted.
The construction of a new tertiary filtration system has begun at El Estero Wastewater Treatment Plant. The work consists of demolishing the existing Filter Plant and building a new Microfiltration/Ultrafiltration Complex. The new system will provide excellent water quality for recycled water users, reducing the use of potable water for irrigation and toilet flushing. The construction will take approximately one year to complete.
Join over 300 businesses and residents who have gone through the Smart Landscape Rebate program. The rebate covers 50% of the materials cost of efficient irrigation equipment, smart irrigation controllers, laundry-to-landscape graywater materials, water-wise plants, artificial turf, permeable surfaces, and mulch. The rebate maximum is $1,000 for homes and up to $4,000 for businesses, multi-family homes, and HOAs.
Business representatives and the public are invited to a public meeting to discuss the City's Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Control Program for Food Service Establishments. Learn how you can do your part to keep fats, oils and grease out of the City sewer system. Included in the presentation will be the proposed changes to Commercial Sewer User Rates. Gain valuable information on current and future structures and fees. The meeting will take place on May 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center. Read More ...
My Water Pledge is a friendly competition between cities across the US to see who can be the most “water-wise.” Mayors nationwide will challenge their residents to conserve water, energy, and other natural resources on behalf of their city through a series of informative, easy-to-use pledges online.
A Stage One Drought Condition was declared by the Santa Barbara City Council on February 11th. The City is asking residents and businesses to reduce water use by 20%. Water customers currently watering their landscape are encouraged to reduce more than 20%.
The best way to reduce water usage is to evaluate landscape watering and check for leaks inside and out. The City can help with a free water checkup for homes or businesses.
Beginning November 1, 2013, the Public Works Department's Engineering Division is suspending the construction of the Punta Gorda Street Bridge Replacement due to utility relocation delays.
The suspension is anticipated to last through the winter season, extending the completion date by approximately two months.The annual Sidewalk Replacement Project to replace existing sidewalks that have uplifted or depressed due to tree root or other damage begins this week. Each year, work is identified City-wide so that all areas typically see some repairs annually. The work will take place from late August through mid-October. The contractor is Granite Construction Company.
Construction on the Chapala Street Bridge Replacement project has begun. The City of Santa Barbara has selected Granite Construction as the general contractor. During construction, the intersection of Chapala and West Yanonali Streets (near the Amtrak Train Station) will be closed.
Bridge construction will continue through the winter of 2014. The majority of construction will occur weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and some weekend construction may occur as needed.
