News

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

City and Santa Barbara School Districts Working on a Framework for Future Collaborative Efforts

The City of Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency recently issued a request for proposals for use of city-owned property located at 125 South Calle Cesar Chavez.

The district have been interested in this property for some time and numerous discussions have taken place between districts’ and city staff regarding the relocation of the maintenance and operations facility currently located near the District Office to this piece of property. Under the districts’ proposal, the redevelopment agency would not only build the districts a new maintenance and operations facility but would lease the property to the districts for a nominal fee (e.g., $1 per year).

If successful, moving the districts’ maintenance and operations functions from the downtown core would reduce the amount of district-related commercial traffic on downtown streets. The districts would be able to free up the existing maintenance and operations site for future educational uses, including a downtown elementary school if warranted by enrollments, which are projected to increase. This project would support the city’s interest in investing in the future of schools located within city boundaries.