Plaza del Mar Band Shell Project Secures Funding for Restoration
By the City of Santa Barbara
The project to restore the Band Shell at Plaza del Mar, one of Santa Barbara's oldest parks, has secured critical grant funding to continue the planned restoration. The structure, originally constructed in 1919, long served as a cultural hub of the City, providing a space for concerts, theater performances, recitals, and community celebrations, but has since fallen into disrepair. In October 2020, an evaluation of the condition of the Band Shell identified the stage flooring, building frame, and roof as major structural issues. A fence was placed around the facility as a public safety precaution.
The restoration of the historic Band Shell aims to provide a fully functional performance space and revitalize Plaza del Mar as a destination for music, theater, dance, and celebrations.
To fund the project, the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department secured a $177,952 grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department also partnered with the Parks and Recreation Community (PARC) Foundation to secure an additional $55,500 from local foundations and private donors who felt passionately about returning the historic venue to the public. The fundraising campaign received significant support from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Ann Jackson Family Foundation, the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and Santa Barbara Beautiful. The remainder of the project's funding includes $175,000 in City General funds and $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds allocated by City Council.
The Plaza del Mar Band Shell Restoration project includes:
- Structural repairs to the building frame
- Replacement of the roof and wood stage
- Restoration of the original stage lighting
- Installation of full electrical service
- Construction of an ADA-accessible pathway and ramp to the stage
The Historic Landmarks Commission approved the final design for the restoration in November 2021. The project is now ready to move into the construction phase, with onsite work anticipated to begin in early 2023.
The PARC Foundation continues to seek donations and local sponsors to fund free community concerts and performances at the Band Shell once the restoration is complete. To learn more and support future programming, visit PARCSB.org.
10 Comments
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Oct 18, 2022 08:35 AMThat homeless shelter was in much need of an upgrade
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Oct 18, 2022 10:01 AMI happen to live near there, no homeless people there. Two that sleep near the bathrooms and that's it. My kids, dog and I spend time there on the weekends and have for the past 5 years. I think you haven't been there in quite a while....
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Oct 18, 2022 06:53 PMZERO - Yup! We're down there almost every weekend in the summer for Foresters games and there's only a couple homeless looking people hanging out in the grass. It's nothing like it was in late 90s/early 2000s when we'd be hanging around the harbor and seeing groups of homeless people all over that park.
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Oct 19, 2022 02:24 PMSac, we love the Foresters! We live about 2 minutes from there and are there a lot. We also use the tennis courts. The park is rad. We hang out there on the weekends. I even walk my dog through there after 9pm. No one there. empty. But according to the sour grapes that post here, it's loaded with homeless. Not so. Maybe one or two near the bathrooms and they clean up and keep to themselves. All good. If you see a guy there with a malinois and a redhead girl, that'd be me. Not the girl. Or the dog. lol
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Oct 19, 2022 02:50 PMZERO - were you at the game with the super fan? Sounded like he was growling out Iron Maiden lyrics at the team. It was classic. Wait, was that you? Lol!
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Oct 18, 2022 10:03 AMThis is great! I just recently went over some historical photos and write ups about this bandshell. At one time, it was the main entertainment spot for the city. Lectures, music, speaches, dances, poems, and city leader ceremonies all took place here. All residents would come to the park and gather around the band shell. The shell has been there since the early 1900's. I believe after the 20's earthquake perhaps? I do forget the exact time. There used to be wooden bench seating around it for the residents. I saw many bands and a few plays there in the 80s and 90s.
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Oct 18, 2022 03:11 PMHere's some more info about the bandshell: The construction of the bandshell (also called the music shell) began in April 1919. Prominent Santa Barbara architect Winsor Soule, who had been partly responsible for designing the El Encanto Hotel, contributed the design. The estimated cost was $1,500 to $2,000. A 22-person band was being organized, and seating was planned for 2,000 people. Everyone was looking forward to the first concert in May. “The shell as a sounding board is said to be perfect, and its location, back from the sound of the surf and the noise of traffic is described as excellent for public meetings.” – from “Way Back When: Santa Barbara in 1919” – Betsy J. Green
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Oct 18, 2022 04:23 PMNotice that the total amount required to remodel the bandshell is not mentioned. From the amounts listed, it is $808,452 PLUS any monies donated by the four organizations. Does the City have to beg for money, including going to the State of California, because the upkeep funds were used somewhere else? Shouldn't that be budgeted in to have upkeep on our parks on a continuing basis?
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Oct 18, 2022 06:45 PMIn the current situation, this is a poor use of taxpayer's dollars. No one, absolutely no one is using that park there, except some homeless.
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Oct 19, 2022 02:22 PMBasic....put a sock in it dude. you don't even go there. i live near it and have said several times, in several threads, there are no homeless. There are many locals using it every weekend including my kids, myself and my dog(s). I see families picnicing there, tourists, locals just relaxing, kids playing frisbee and football and soccer. Yeah no one uses it. its a great park. Maybe if you actually spent time there rather than getting online and wanking about something you clearly know little about, you'ld have a different perception.
Also a grant is paying for this, not "your" tax dollars, and even if it was tax money, i'd be happy to help restore this gem. It's historical. It's beautiful. It's part of SB history. Really over people like you, just a lot of sour grapes on edhat....a lot