News + Updates
Updates, stories and progress from Friends of State Street as we work to engage, activate and support the future of State Street.
September 1 City Council Meeting: Final Approval for State Street Master Plan
Santa Barbara City Council will consider final approval of the State Street Master Plan on September 1, 2026.
June 30 City Council Meeting: An Important Moment for State Street
City Council will consider an important interim decision for the State Street Promenade on June 30, 2026.
Asphalt Art Is Coming to State Street This April
State Street in Santa Barbara will feature a colorful asphalt art project in April 2026, bringing bold design and improved safety downtown.
April 28th City Council Meeting: A Key Moment for State Street
We invite our community to come together in support of moving this planning phase forward.
Chocolate Maya Enters Its Willow Era
Beloved chocolatier welcomes new owner Willow, continuing Santa Barbara tradition.
A First Look at the Loop: What We’re Learning From Riders
First look: State Street Loop ridership climbs as riders share feedback and enthusiasm.
Introducing the State Street Loop — Community Mobility in Motion
Free, all-electric State Street Loop shuttle launches May 29 to connect downtown.
World Class Santa Barbara — A Night to Remember
A joyful First Thursday debut: 12 posters, 12 films celebrating downtown Santa Barbara.
Introducing IMPACTLab + The Design Studio
IMPACTLab and Design Studio unite community expertise to shape State Street’s future.
A First Thursday Celebration of World Class Santa Barbara Destinations
On May 1 at La Arcada Plaza, World Class Santa Barbara debuts: 12 posters + 12 mini-docs celebrating iconic downtown destinations. Join First Thursday.
A Treasure Trove of Fun: Our First State Street Scavenger Hunt Was a Smashing Success!
Santa Barbara’s inaugural State Street Pirate Scavenger Hunt united teams, landmarks, and local businesses.
Friends of State Street Hosts a Historic Outstanding in the Field Event at Stearns Wharf
Historic Outstanding in the Field dinner debuts on Stearns Wharf—reserve limited seats.
How Friends of State Street is Leading Santa Barbara’s Downtown Revival
Sharon Rich on Friends of State Street leading Santa Barbara’s downtown revival.
March 18 State Street Master Plan Update
March 18: Create State Master Plan update—4pm Faulkner Gallery or via Zoom.
Tips for Making Public Comments at City Meetings
Clear, respectful public comments: prep, register, speak succinctly—online or in person.
Giving Thanks, from Friends of State Street
Thank you for supporting State Street—eight initiatives and more ahead in 2024.
State Street Undercrossing Improvements
By Jeff Shelton, Architect In 2019, we were contacted by Bengal Engineering asking if we'd like to join their team as architectural consultant for a new Santa Barbara Public Works project. Bengal was putting together a proposal for the State Street Undercrossing, a...
Santa Barbara Council Votes to Begin Negotiations for Project to Transform Paseo Nuevo Into Housing
By Joshua Molina, Noozhawk Staff Writer Can a redeveloped Paseo Nuevo mall save Santa Barbara’s downtown twice? City leaders are banking on it. In a stunning development, the City of Santa Barbara quietly unfolded an ambitious proposal Tuesday to demolish Paseo Nuevo...
The Latest Round of Thinking About the State Street Promenade
By Erik Torkells, Siteline Monday’s meeting of the State Street Advisory Committee included another presentation by consultants MIG Inc. and city staff about what form the State Street Promenade might take. The focus was on thinking about it as three “districts,” and...
Solving State Street: Santa Barbara City Council Wrestles with Promenade Plans
By Ryan P. Cruz | The Santa Barbara Independent The future of State Street will be decided out in the open, as the Santa Barbara City Council decided Tuesday to conduct hearings about the promenade each month during regular council meetings. The decision was...
Summer 2023 Update from the President
Hello Friends of State Street, We are all volunteers who love Santa Barbara, State Street and its potential to become a vital, vibrant pedestrian friendly promenade. We've been busy and we’re just getting started! This summer’s big news: The Santa Barbara city council...
Downtown Santa Barbara’s Biggest Question: Parklets or No Parklets?
Santa Barbara Independent | Ryan P. Cruz The future of downtown Santa Barbara and its outdoor dining parklets has bubbled into one of the most polarizing topics in the city. So it came as a bit of a surprise when the city announced an awkwardly timed public meeting to...
What Will Become of State Street in the Next Hundred Years?
By Detlev Peikert | Santa Barbara Independent Two of the most important initiatives that the City of Santa Barbara is currently undertaking are the development and implementation of the State Street Master Plan and the renewal of De la Guerra Plaza. These two projects...
Bike issues on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara bring kids and adults together for solutions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm6C7BqXSHg News Channel 3-12, SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The State Street Promenade has become an attraction for bike riders, especially young people on electric bikes. Sharing the space with pedestrians continues to be a concern. A...
Resolution Outcome: Fees for the outdoor business facilities
The outcome of the Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Santa Barbara City Council Meeting: Resolution Outcome: Fees for the outdoor business facilities. Section 1. Resolution of the City Council of the City of Santa Barbara establishing fees for the outdoor business facilities on...
Outdoor Painting Project – A Big Success
30 volunteers repainted 10 outdoor dining areas in six hours—State Street refreshed.
‘Friends of State Street’ volunteers help business owners meet city rules and guidelines in Santa Barbara Promenade
https://youtu.be/Su4UsbAAM3c Friends of State Street appeared on KEYT news. Click here to view the full article.
State Street Design Concept Planning Workshop
The State Street design concept planning workshop kicked off on December 10, 2022. Tess Harris, State Street’s master planner introduced the design concept workshop and oversaw the community coming together to engage in the design process. Teams worked together to...
Pilot Parklet Project
Last night, Friends of State Street launched our first initiative, the Pilot Parklet Project at the Night Lizard Brewery. Our crew worked together to freshen planters with some new eye-catching greenery.