Changes to paving and dining alter the look of one section of State Street in downtown Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – There's more room for cars, and less street dining in one area of downtown Santa Barbara. Crews are pouring new asphalt in the 1300 block around State St. at Victoria St. and up past Sola St.

There's also a repaving project on Victoria Street for a block in each direction from State St.

The changes come after months of discussion and analysis about the flow of cars, pedestrians, bikes and emergency vehicles in the area.

Recently the Santa Barbara City Fire Department said the configuration of Victoria Street with outside parklets would haver to be adjusted to meet the fire codes and not hinder a response. Photos showed the challenge the ladder truck had going through when there was a parklet and across the street, a delivery truck.

The Bouchon restaurant parklet has been reduced in size and has k-rail barriers for safety.

On State Street the paving and striping will change the access with the return of two-way traffic. The Arlington Theatre is also going to have a new ramp for ADA compliance and to assist those who are mobility challenged.

The Opal restaurant is taking its parklet out completely and adding on street tables and chairs for about ten guests. Overall the change is about 35 fewer seats than what the restaurant had with the parklet.

Across the street is will be a new look for outside dining at Carlitos and Co. but that is still being designed.

Later this month there will be new presentations about what could be done to State Street from the underpass to Sola St. Designs are being finalized for the presentation.

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