We are working on economic and public safety response time analysis. Our next City Council meeting on the State Street Master Plan is anticipated in September 2025. 

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500 Block of State Street highlighted with the view of the ocean
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Pedlets Are Coming to the 500 Block of State Street

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The City of Santa Barbara is launching an exciting new pilot project on the 500 block of State Street, between Haley Street and Cota Street, as part of the broader State Street Master Plan. Beginning in early September, the City will transition outdoor dining from the street to the sidewalk using a modular solution known as “pedlets.” This change makes it possible to enjoy dining right along the building frontage, while also ensuring easier pedestrian access and d supporting a more vibrant and flexible downtown experience.

What’s Changing?
Starting Monday, September 8th, the City will begin removing existing on-street dining setups—commonly referred to as “parklets”—on the 500 block.  Dining will be moved to the sidewalk adjacent to building facades. To maintain pedestrian flow, the City will install pedlets: elevated, ADA-accessible walkways that extend the sidewalk into the street, allowing pedestrians to pass safely around the new dining zones.

What Is a Pedlet?
A pedlet is a modular, pre-fabricated platform that temporarily extends the sidewalk into the street. Designed to be level with the curb, pedlets provide a safe and accessible path for pedestrians while allowing businesses to use the sidewalk for outdoor dining. This approach has been successfully implemented in other cities to improve walkability and support local businesses. 

Learn more about the concept from MODSTREET: The Modular Solution to Urban Walkability

Installation Timeline

  • Monday, September 8 – City crews will remove remaining parklet materials and begin deep-cleaning the area. NOTE: The 500 block will be closed to deliveries and bicycle traffic while demolition is in progress.
  • Tuesday, September 9 & Wednesday, September 10 – Pedlet installation takes place.
  • Thursday, September 11 – Restaurants reopen with new sidewalk dining areas.

Why This Pilot?
The pedlet pilot is part of the City’s Short-Term Action Plan to experiment with different ways of enlivening State Street while the Master Plan is in progress. As a temporary installation, pedlets are a quick, lower-cost way to test new street designs before larger long-term changes. Pedlets also provide a protected walking zone, separating people from other activities on the street (e.g., bicycles). The 500 block was selected for this pilot due to its concentration of outdoor dining and large volume of pedestrians. 

The Bigger Picture
The State Street Master Plan is a long-term vision to transform downtown Santa Barbara into a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable destination. The plan emphasizes placemaking, economic vitality, and mobility. The pedlet pilot is a key step in testing the vision of a flexible street configuration that maximizes space for people to gather while maintaining access and minimizing disruption.

Questions?
For more information about the pedlet installation or the State Street Master Plan, please contact: 
Sarah Clark, Downtown Team Manager
City of Santa Barbara, Public Works
(805) 564-5390
SClark@SantaBarbaraCA.gov