State Street Changes in Place Until Labor Day
By John Palminteri, KEYT News
In a matter of a couple of days, the heart of downtown Santa Barbara went from a crisis zone to a festival-like scene during an ongoing pandemic.
Restaurants were told it was fine to serve food and alcohol on the sidewalks, pedestrians could walk in the streets, and cars were relocated.
A special permit is required for this extension.
All this, however, was done without much or any review or public input and that's led to emails and calls to City Hall.
Read more at keyt.com
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16 Comments
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May 29, 2020 01:54 PMAs the icy Atlantic wrapped her frozen fingers across the mouths of the Titanics passengers, their last-words were parroted;
"But, this ship is UN-sinkable...
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May 29, 2020 03:14 PMGood luck to those who are out and about now. I mean it. I wish you luck.
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May 29, 2020 03:54 PMI doubt even half of the businesses in Santa Barbara will survive even getting to Labor Day, if your attitude prevails.
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May 30, 2020 02:27 AMIn avoiding COVID-19, right? Too many people are not social distancing to go down there.
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May 29, 2020 03:24 PMIf this works I could see State being closed year round except during parades
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May 29, 2020 03:25 PMThe City's overbearing restrictions, regulations, ordinances, and all their departments that have no concept of cost effectiveness, efficiency or "time is of the essence" thinking have handicapped small businesses in Santa Barbara, and that was before the government imposed shutdown! Now our small businesses aren't just handicapped because of the local government(s) they're on life support. Please let our small businesses do what the do best, serve their customers as the customers want to be served, and the best thing the City can do is STAY OUT OF IT! This is a great opportunity to try out the much discussed pedestrian only State Street, please don't now ruin it by complaining to the City and forcing them to enact even more onerous regulations. Many things will work, some won't, and our nimble small businesses will adjust accordingly... .. If you don't like it or don't feel safe just don't go!. .... Many people do like it, are excited about it, and it's the only way many of our local businesses will survive this disaster created by the State, County, and City governments (they closed small businesses, the virus didn't). Let our dedicated, hard working, under-paid city employees determine what's best for the patrons coming to State Street... wait, how can I mess that up!... Let our dedicated, hard working, under-paid SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS determine what's best for the patrons coming to State Street.
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May 29, 2020 03:27 PMAgreed! Many of those that are complaining don't go down there to begin with - they just like to complain. Hoping that the business can see some success. I personally will avoid the area for a while.
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May 29, 2020 03:30 PM@ 3:27, why do you give it a little test walk during a weekday next week, off hours between 2-4pm, mask on if you prefer. With the streets closed they'll be as much room for physical (NOT SOCIAL) distancing as you like.
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May 29, 2020 03:58 PMI went down at 1:30 pm mid-week to pick something up at a store...not a lot of people, it was very pleasant. Let's leave it this way and see how it goes. I wore a mask, I didn't touch any doors (just the bag of what I ordered), I sanitized my hands in the car...done!
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May 29, 2020 05:01 PMSam I was down there during that time frame this week for a special occasion. My little group wore masks, went to eat at a restaurant and the staff were great. The issue I had were the people downtown who weren't wearing masks and got into my space. I don't want the exposure right now. I'll wait and see if we have a surge before going out and about where there are a lot of people congregating, which is what is happening down there at night especially. Not really my thing to go down there much anyways.
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May 29, 2020 03:28 PMSeems like a good idea to shut down the street to make for physical distancing. I hope the restaurants keep up their part with the disinfecting. I think I will pass on it for now.
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May 29, 2020 08:47 PMThis deserves a chance. It is great to see the energy and people enjoying themselves however, there is much tweeking to be done.
No bikes , pedestirans or scateboarders should be on side walks in the closed sections.
We had been seated 6 feet apart from any oher table at Pascucchi's however unfortunately, they had not blocked off the ends of their seating area . When our food hit the table , it was uncomfretable to have this parade so close to us as they were weaving between the tables! I think masks should be manditory outside in the blocked off areas. The County has issued a proclomation recently of a $1000.00 fine for not wearing masks where required in public, so this should fall under that right??? lets see some enforcement .
This should apply as this is an area designated by the City and is a public gathering space in the middle of this pandemic.
Too many people will not keep the recomended distance and wil become more lax whether drinking alchohol or not in the party atmosphere.
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May 29, 2020 09:27 PMSo, the slogan went from "Shelter in place", to "Come on down, and generate some taxes for our government paychecks!" Take a chance, live free, or die. Or both.
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May 30, 2020 02:00 AMA new shut down is coming.
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Jun 01, 2020 10:42 AMNo, it went from "shut down" to "take-out only with face masks and cleaning protocols in place" to "limited indoor seating, outdoor seating, 6' physical distancing and masks required, and additional protections for employees and cleaning protocols in place".
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May 30, 2020 07:42 AMComply now, re-evaluate until it's clear how this is going. It's not OK for people to wander near or through eating patrons if you want repeat business. Patrons must feel safe. Another shut down would take out those still wobbling along. Downtown SB is tourist-dependant, a week-end and vacation destination for LA. With people not flying as much this summer, business could become exceptionally brisk, but LA area is still a hot spot. Many doubters comply. In-your-face deniers are a vast minority, and who's right is irrelevant. Times are tough; SB needs to be open for the summer trade, many of whom are older & bigger spenders. Comply now; don't risk SB getting a 'rebounder' reputation.