A New Chapter in Community Collaboration for State Street’s Future
At Friends of State Street, we believe the best ideas come from the community — and that sustainable change is something we build together.
We’re proud to introduce IMPACTLab, a new initiative launched by our volunteer Board of Directors to support the State Street Master Plan through insight, research, and cross-sector collaboration.
As Santa Barbara works to reimagine the heart of downtown, we recognize that cities can’t carry the weight of transformative change alone. That’s where the Lab comes in.
What is IMPACTLab?
With its tagline, “Connecting Expertise to Solutions,” IMPACTLab serves as a hub for local knowledge, strategic thinking, and civic innovation. The Lab brings together researchers, policy thinkers, business leaders, and community members to work in alignment with the City's Master Plan — supporting a more vibrant, sustainable future for State Street.
This isn’t about backing a single vision or design. It’s about advancing a process that listens to and reflects Santa Barbara’s diverse needs — with community at the center.
The Role of the Design Studio
Behind every great idea is a place to test and refine it. That’s why the Lab also includes the IMPACTLab Design Studio — a hands-on, solutions-focused R&D space.
The Design Studio develops toolkits and frameworks in response to local case studies submitted to the Lab — whether it's gathering real-time feedback from mobility pilot users, or identifying policy pathways for future programs.
It’s where innovation meets action.
Why It Matters
Change takes more than ideas — it takes shared ownership. IMPACTLab is a platform for community problem-solving, created to uplift the local insights, creativity, and data-driven strategies that will move State Street forward in meaningful ways.
Stay tuned as we share case studies, policy recommendations, and opportunities to get involved in shaping downtown’s next chapter.
Together, we’re building more than a plan — we’re building momentum.