Transportation and Circulation Committee - June 25, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara's Transportation and Circulation Committee convened on June 25, 2026, to review and discuss the draft State Street Master Plan, a significant urban redevelopment and transportation project aimed at revitalizing the downtown core. The meeting featured detailed presentations by the city planner Tess Harris and consultant Stephanos Palazoides, focusing on challenges such as retail shifts, housing needs, aging infrastructure, mobility conflicts, and activation gaps. Key procurement-related topics included infrastructure upgrades, stormwater management, utility consolidation, and flexible street design incorporating retractable bollards to balance pedestrian, bicycle, and emergency vehicle access. The committee engaged in extensive discussion on design elements, safety considerations, and phased construction plans, with public comments emphasizing concerns about vehicle traffic reintroduction and multimodal safety. The committee expressed general support for the proposed 30-foot sidewalks and 20-foot emergency access lanes, the use of retractable bollards, and prioritizing investment in the civic and commercial district, while noting the need for further detailed engineering and design work. The plan is scheduled for finalization and return to city council in August 2026, with potential funding applications for construction engineering underway.