79%

of respondents in the City's survey supported keeping State Street car-free.

75%

of State Street businesses surveyed said they do not want cars to return.

100%

Decrease in fatal and severe crashes on State Street, compared to 2010-2019.

1,000,000+

Miles ridden on BCycle bikeshare on State Street alone.

12%

Decrease in business vacancies, with fewer vacant storefronts on State Street than 2018.

100 Million

In major investment, with dozens of new stores and restaurants, and major future tenants like Yardi, Music Academy of the West, and adaptive reuse to housing at Paseo Nuevo

2,000,000+

Annual visitations to State Street

2,500

Cyclists on the street on an average weekday

3,000 +

Existing parking stalls, all with entrances off State Street

5 - 10%

Vacancy rate, the lowest since 2019, according to Radius Real Estate Group

BUSINESS UP SIGNIFICANTLY

"I have been operating for 23 years downtown and could not be happier with the promenade. I have seen it with cars and without. The homeless problem has gotten significantly better than when we had cars and traffic. Our sales were up 20% for the month of May.Tons of people are enjoying it. The only issue I hear about is the kids on e-bikes."— Clay Holdren, Owner of Holdren's Steakhouse

LOCALS LOVE IT

"I’ve worked on State Street for more than 20 years now and this is the best setup that I’ve seen. It isn’t perfect, but we spent the last six years fighting over it instead of trying to improve it. Everyone had 40+ years to make State Street work with cars and it just simply wasn’t working before Covid, not everyone wants to admit it but it’s a fact. Going backwards to something that didn’t work doesn't seem to benefit anyone except the Landlords and I guess I’m just not particularly invested in their net worth. I feel that the people that use State Street and the promenade are the ones that should dictate what it should offer."
— Aron Ashland, Owner of Wine Therapy + The Cruisery

INCREASED VISITIATION

"State Street without cars is an opportunity for Santa Barbara- cars on State Street serves no purpose besides memories on a long gone time.
Those times aren't coming back, and the economic reality of retail has changed considerably- even in just the past 5 years.
It's time to wake up and move forward with a clear vision and strong leadership- a backwards move will just destroy what little viability downtown still has."— Bob Ficarra, Owner of Metro Entertainment

Increased Walk In Business

"As a downtown business owner, on and off State Street for 50 years now I have to side (for a number of reasons) with moving forward with the city’s Master Plan which does not include cars in State Street.
During the past five years I’m part of a group of merchants who meet monthly. In a recent meeting the vote was 14-1 to support city council’s decision to move forward with the Master Plan; to widen the sidewalks, clean up the bike lanes, to install retractable bollards to allow for parades and flexibility, and to keep the street car-free.
The vast majority of business owners in and around mine are doing better than they were with cars. I just think it’s time to listen to the majority - locals, visitors, young people and my customers - who overwhelmingly favor a car-free State Street by at least a 75% majority.
— Bob Stout, Owner of Wildcat Lounge

Clean and busy

"As a downtown business owner who owns both Cuso's Bikes and Cuso's Creamery located on the 600 block of State Street, we are in full support of keeping State Street closed to vehicles. Maintaining the family friendly and pedestrian focused atmosphere is essential to helping downtown Santa Barbara thrive, and cars would only detract from that. Our focus should be on having more events and activities weekly on State Street, and continuing to draw people into town. The reintroduction of cars would severely inhibit these activities, as well as incorporate a dangerous variable in a downtown center that is heavily populated. Adding cars would lead to more car on car incidents, car on bicycle incidents, and car on pedestrian incidents that are no longer occurring, keep State Street safe by keeping State Street closed!
— Dylan Mancuso, Owner of Cuso's Bikes and Creamery

Less Car Traffic = More Visibility

"I’m all in on no cars on the street. We have this amazing parking infrastructure already in place and there’s no parking on State Street so I don’t really see what cars are going to bring. Streets are for people too! I love seeing people on bikes. E-bikes are a bit of a menace but it seems like that's something easily taken care of. I just love the whole celebratory thing."— Kevin Healy, Owner of the Yes Store

Busier than Ever

"With state Street being closed, my sales at Antique Alley have never been better. We went back three years prior to Covid closure and compared it to the time period after, and there has been a 30% increase in sales on the 700 block at Antique Alley. The future of State Street lies in the youth. The youth of this City are going to drive the sales in the future. With the street closed I've never seen this many kids on State Street."— Alan Howard, Owner of Antique Alley

Vacancies Down

"In the 40 years I have lived in SB, State street has never been more vibrant or active. I have walked State Street every day since 97 and I have seen the improvement first hand. The naysayers held the day until Covid and then we were given the gift of a car free central corridor. It would be going backwards to bring cars back."— Joe, Local Resident

Sales Up

"My business increased substantially when State Street was closed. The amount of foot traffic by my business was up about 50%. Over 90% of my customers who were asked, stated they DID NOT want State Street reopened to cars."— John Nasser, Owner of Night Lizard Brewing Company

Clear Benefits

I am writing as both a Santa Barbara resident and a local business owner to express my support for keeping State Street closed to regular vehicle traffic.
From my experience, the pedestrian promenade encourages people to walk, linger, shop, dine, and spend time supporting local businesses.
The promenade has improved the atmosphere by reducing traffic and noise while creating a safer space for families, visitors, cyclists, and pedestrians.
These benefits are clear and celebrated by many local community members, including those who have voted for it over and over.
— Nadia Ajlouni, Owner of The Blue Owl

Beautiful Place

"Please keep State Street pedestrian! Like a beautiful European town, State Street deserves to be a hub of community activity… walking, cycling, skateboarding, dining, shopping, special events. Better for tourism, better for locals. Before the pandemic, State Street was a ghost town a lot of the time. It’s so much more vibrant & fun! I actually go downtown to dine & shop now, and it’s really fun and interesting."— Ericka, Local Resident

FAMILY FRIENDLY

"As a small business who has been downtown for over 20 years, we love seeing people and families who can walk safely in our streets and take in all that our beautiful city has to offer."— Ingrid Estrella, Owner of Game Seeker

Your Voice Matters!

SUPPORT THE VIBRANCY OF OUR DOWNTOWN

Santa Barbara has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a downtown that is safer, more vibrant, and more welcoming for everyone.Sign the petition to support a car-free State Street that prioritizes people over traffic!

• SIGN THE PETITION