Drawing preseason praise
Exhibit combines two kinds of art Paintings and handbags grace ‘Pas de Deux’ - B1
Our 165th Year
Three UCSB men’s volleyball players projected as All-Americans - B4
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MON DAY, J A N UA RY 25, 2 0 21
The future of State Street Rain, wind blow through Santa Barbara County By ANNELISE HANSHAW NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
It’s a good week to have a raincoat. While this weekend’s rainfall was fractional, the clouds have not yet dissipated. Much of the United States will be experiencing precipitation this week as two storms sweep across
the country. The National Weather Service issued a high-surf advisory for Santa Barbara County’s south coast beginning at 6 a.m. today and continuing until 6 p.m. Tuesday. Waves will build to five to eight feet on exposed, westfacing beaches with 10-foot waves Please see weather on A3
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
With road closures in place and planters consuming the roadway, the flow of traffic on State Street at Victoria Street in Santa Barbara has disrupted the Open Air Bicycle shop’s business.
A burst of rain, then hail, briefly fell on State Street in Santa Barbara Saturday. More rain is forecast this week.
Retailers, restaurants share vision for downtown moving forward
Supes to discuss extending eviction ban
By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Although closing off State Street to vehicular traffic was an emergency move during the pandemic, it’s looking more and more like the promenade is here to stay. The American Institute of Architects presented the results of a downtown charrette to Santa Barbara’s City Council last week, and according to a survey with nearly 5,000 responses, 84% of residents want a permanent promenade on State Street. Support for making the promenade permanent came from many restaurants in the 500 block of State Street as well, including The Cruisery and Joe’s Cafe. However, the promenade extends all the way up to the 1300 block too, and for the most part, businesses farther up want the promenade long-term, as well. Bryan Simorangkir is a co-owner of Sama Sama Kitchen, an Asian fusion restaurant in the 1200 block of State Street. “For starters, locals hate driving on State Street anyway,” he told the News-Press. “It’s the worst street to drive on because there’s so many people, so there’s no point.” He said he also supports the idea of creating more housing units downtown. “I think if people actually lived downtown, they would revitalize it. With no one living here, no one cares about it,” Mr. Simorangkir said. The co-owner added that if there was one thing he would ask for, it would be for the street to possibly be open in the morning from 6 to 8 a.m. for deliveries. Currently, he had to buy himself a cart to haul things inside. However, the restaurant owner said he prefers State Street closed. Jen Bouma owns Chicken Little, the toy store in the 1200 block of State Street. “I love it (the promenade). I’m so, so happy about it,” she told the News-Press. “Now, people have more space to walk around, and I love the European feel of having all the sidewalk cafes.” She said it has “definitely” helped business throughout the pandemic. “I think it’s great — I would just like to see a greater plan that says, ‘Where do you walk? Where do you bike?’” Ms. Bouma said. Not every business on State Street supports the closure, though. Ed Brown, the owner of Open Air Bicycles
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By GRAYCE MCCORMICK NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
“I think the promenade makes sense for a short period where the most impacted businesses are, but way up here in this neighborhood, I don’t think we need a promenade up here,” said Open Air Bicycles Owner Ed Brown.
in the 1300 block of State Street, expressed a few concerns for his business, as it lies directly on the corner of State and Victoria Streets, both of which are currently closed. “It really stifled our business,” he told the News-Press. “No one can get to our shop. We’re trapped here. We have one space to park and people from the Westside can’t even get here unless they go all the way around.” He said the nature of his business doesn’t quite align with closed streets. “At our shop, people bring stuff in — it’s not coming in and taking out,” Mr. Brown said. “They need to park and be able to unload bicycles. We have some families with five bicycles that need service done. How do you want to carry five of these bicycles down the street?” Open Air Bicycles’ sales have dropped, but the store has never been busier for bike repairs, according to the owner. “I think the promenade makes sense for a short period where the most impacted businesses are, but way up here in this neighborhood, I don’t think we need a
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promenade up here,” he said. “I think the promenade makes sense, maybe more south of Carrillo.” He added that he thinks the promenade is good in areas with good parking structures, so visitors can park their cars, get out and walk along the promenade. “Anything that doesn’t have the support of parking that’s north or south of it, I think, should be back to regular State Street,” Mr. Brown said. “I’m not against this. This is good. “It just needs to be thought out better. I’d like to see a master plan, and the businesses should be involved.” The owner also said he supports the closure, even in front of his business, during COVID-19, because he understands everyone is going through difficult times. Mr. Brown’s neighbor in the 1300 block, Fine Fabrics of Santa Barbara, has more parking than Open Air Bicycles does. Fine Fabrics Owner Susanne Chess is in support of the promenade. “I like the way it is because my clients want Please see STATE on A4
On Tuesday, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will be recommended to adopt an ordinance that extends the expiration date of the prohibition on commercial evictions arising from loss of income or substantial medical expenses related to COVID-19. The current expiration date is Jan. 31, but the county is authorized to temporarily prohibit commercial evictions through March 31. The California State legislature is currently considering a bill that would extend the residential eviction moratorium through the end of 2021. In addition, this new urgency ordinance would include more protections for landlords. It does not relieve a tenant’s obligations to pay rent or restrict a landlord’s ability to recover rent due in the future; it requires tenants to provide documentation of an inability to pay under penalty of perjury; and it requires tenants to pay 25% of rental payments due under the existing lease between Sept. 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. “This urgency ordinance is necessary to preserve public health and safety,” the board letter says. “In addition to preventing additional business closures, this measure would lessen economic stress that further compounds residents’ health and vulnerability to COVID-19.” In other business, the board will receive a COVID-19 update per usual. Board members will also be recommended to adopt an amendment to the Environmental
Thresholds and Guidelines Manual to include new interim thresholds for determining the significance of impacts from greenhouse gas emissions from land use projects and plans. The county does not have a threshold of significance for land use projects or plans not subject to the industrial stationary source threshold, and they’re not required, but county staff wrote in the board letter that the thresholds will assist the county in complying with the California Environmental Quality Act. The board will also receive a report on KPMG’s operational and performance review of the Santa Barbara County Probation Department and be asked to provide direction as appropriate. The review will provide a high-level assessment of the department, identify strengths and opportunities and benchmark financial and operational areas with similar jurisdictions. According to the board letter, the KPMG report identifies 11 recommendations, all falling into strategy and budget; organizational structure; community supervision; institutions; and data-driven decision making. KPMG recommends the department develop a strategic plan, strengthen capacity for monitoring and planning for legislative changes, review senior staff responsibilities, expand scenario planning for excess Juvenile Hall and Camp capacity to help maximize impact of county resources, and more. “The department generally agrees with the majority of these recommendations, and many Please see SUPERVISORs on A3
Obituaries............. A4 Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 15-25-37-43-45 Meganumber: 12
Sunday’s DAILY 4: 3-1-9-2
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 4-26-42-50-60 Meganumber: 24
Sunday’s FANTASY 5: 17-21-30-32-33
Sunday’s DAILY DERBY: 07-12-01 Time: 1:44.72
Saturday’s POWERBALL: 5-8-17-27-28 Meganumber: 14
Sunday’s DAILY 3: 3-7-7 / Sunday’s Midday 0-8-1