COMMERCE

Steve Cushman

                                                                 December 2011

Reallllllly Big Projects. Watch the progress of some really big projects making their way through the development process in 2012. The City is planning for the demolition and reconstruction of a new police headquarters. The Landmarks commission hears the proposal, on Dec. 7, for the demolition of the existing 28,000 square foot building and the construction of a 48 foot tall, 58,000 square foot facility and an 89,651 sq ft underground parking garage. Price tag should be about $60 million.

Von's Condominium Project. Plans for the project at 34 W. Victoria St. include 36,000 square feet of commercial space for a European-style public market and additional retail shops. In a sloping-staircase design, the second and third stories will include 37 new residential units totaling 23,000 square feet. Parking for the site will be underground. Urban Developments plans to begin construction in early 2012. Demolition started a few weeks ago.

State Courts Building, The State has acquired a 2.5-acre site on Anacapa Street to build a 100,000 square foot courthouse with a 200 space-parking garage. The projected cost is $150 million. Planning is currently underway in Sacramento. Estimated opening is 2015.

Freeway Widening Project. In the early 1990's about $70 million had been programmed for a project to widen the freeway to a six-lane road from Milpas Street in Santa Barbara to the Ventura County Line. In 1993, the draft environmental document (EIR/EIS) was released with a public hearing. Due to the public opposition over the potential loss of landscaping, historic structures and residential homes, the project was halted and funding reallocated. In 1996, $50 million was set aside for several operational improvements from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara, including the Milpas to Hot Springs project.

The project includes the reconstruction of two major interchanges, six new or improved bridges, freeway widening, and improvements to local streets and circulation. The project's main components are listed below:

* Third southbound lane added between Milpas Street and Hot Springs Road at Cabrillo Boulevard

* Northbound auxiliary lane added from Cabrillo Blvd. on-ramp to the Salinas Street off-ramp

* Third northbound lane added between Salinas Street and Milpas Street

* Bridge replacement on the freeway at Milpas Street

* Cacique Street pedestrian, vehicle, and bike connection added between Milpas Street and Alisos Street (under the freeway)

* Roundabout added at Cabrillo Boulevard at Hot Springs Road and Coast Village Road at Old Coast Highway for local circulation improvements

* Improved pedestrian/bicycle access

Project Completion Spring 2012 for the Milpas to Hot Springs Road portion.

Cal Trans is now holding public meetings on the second phase of the 101 widening from Hot Springs to Carpinteria. This is a $425 million project. Anticipated completion is 2024.

Business Leader Council. The Santa Barbara Chamber has one of the strongest Business Leaders Councils in California. 85 business owners, company presidents and school chancellors are members of this prestigious group. We are honored to have their advice and support. New members to the Council are: Chris Chirgwin, founder and chairman of Lanspeed; Dale Wilson, owner, Wilson Printing; Mike Brashears, owner, Brashears Insurance Agency; John Tynan, President, The Tynan Group; Jonathan Miller, partner, law firm of Nye, Peabody, Sterling, Hale and Miller; Eric Greenspan, President, Make It Work;Craig Case, owner, Case Detective Agency; Denise El Effendi, president, 924 Group; Michael Mahon, Super Pages.

Making It In Santa Barbara is a series of short biographies on local businesses in the manufacturing sector.  The goal is  to showcase local  companies 

who have moved

beyond the beach to produce products for use around the world.  

"Making It In Santa Barbara"

Adesso

By Stephanie Armstrong

With a passion for jewelry Samantha Goldstone, founder of Adesso, has created timeless yet contemporary pieces that incorporate a unique and personal touch. Though Adesso was only started in July

of 2009, Samantha has been creating jewelry her whole life. Inspired by her personal experiences and travels, Adesso, the name of the 

At Adesso, everything is manufactured locally at their shop located in the heart of downtown. "I firmly believe in staying local." Samantha fosters a team of creative individuals. Since January 2011, Samantha's team has expanded to eight employees, some of whom are part time, and is still growing. With everything Samantha does, she reaches out to members of her community when looking to expand. Her make up artist and photographer are both from Santa Barbara as well.

Visitor Center - 1 Garden St.

December

Visitor Center  

News  

 

 

November was a fantastic month with beautiful clear weather except for a couple of days of rain. It was very busy with a visit from the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius. There were also many Veterans Day activities, The Santa Barbara International Marathon, Thanksgiving fun and then another visit from Crystal Symphony. And let's not forget Black Friday with all the shoppers crowding our malls and State Street.

 

In December you can entertain yourself and your guests with all these wonderful events:

 

* Holiday Tours of Casa del Herrero, historic landmark decorated for the holidays. 90-minute tour of casa, gardens and workshop, including fresh baked cookies and hot cider, reservations required, 565-5653, 1387 East Valley Road, 10 am and 2 pm, only $20!

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday (12/7-12/17), www.casadelherrero.com

 

* Trolley of Lights Tour, Sold Out!

* DeeTours Jeep Limo Holiday Lights Tour, 90-min tour, 12/12 thru 12/23, 448-8425

$20 Adults, $10 Children, $1 of every ticket sold will be donated to DAWG

(Dog Adoption & Welfare Group), www.deetoursofsb.com

 

* Santa Bárbara Mission Archive Library presents Indians at Mission Santa Barbara: Life at the Mission 1800. Dr. John Johnson, the Curator of Anthropology at the Museum of Natural History will be speaking about the Indians at Mission Santa Barbara in 1800; he is the expert on the Chumash. This talk is Sunday, December 4, 3 pm, at the Mission Archive Library.

 

* 1st Thursday - SB Courthouse Sunken Garden Tour, 10:30 am, 568-2472

* Botanic Garden Classes and Vespa Raffle (thru 12/15), drawing on 12/16, www.sbbg.org

* Gladwin Planetarium Shows, weekends, SB Museum of Natural History, www.sbnature.org

* Picasso and Braque, SB Museum of Art, www.sbma.net

* December 1-4, Annual Tribal and Folk Arts Marketplace, Natural History Museum, www.sbnature.org

* December 2, Downtown Holiday Parade, 6:30 pm, www.santabarbaradowntown.com

* December 3, Christmas at the Casa, Casa del Herrero, www.casadelherrero.com

* December 3, Holiday on the Urban Wine Trail, benefit for Unity Shoppe, www.oreanawinery.com

* December 4, Sledding (and Skating) at the Zoo, Snow Leopard Festival, SB Zoo, www.sbzoo.org 

* December 11, SB Motorcycle Toy Run, www.unityshoppe.org

* December 11, Harbor Parade of Lights, 5:30-7:15 pm;

3-5 pm Santa's Village (below Brophy's) Around 7 pm Fireworks, West Beach, www.santabarbaraCa.gov/visitor/things/waterfront/

 

And for all other events in December, go to: www.sbchamber.org, click on Calendars and then City Events. All the ongoing events are listed at the beginning followed by events in date order.

 

Happy Holidays!

Annmarie Rogers

Visitor Center

http://sbchamber.org/visitor-center.php

    Monday, December 5, 2011 

924 Anacapa St., Ste. 1

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