The Bottom-Up Revolution - The $96 Million Plan for Nine Blocks

What started as a temporary COVID closure on State Street has turned into a years-long debate over what the street should become. Sully Israel, leader of Strong Towns Santa Barbara, has watched outdoor dining, biking, and public life take over space that once belonged to cars as the city considers making the change permanent. The permanent redesign would cost $96 million for nine blocks, with roughly half of that going toward stormwater and utility work. For Strong Towns Santa Barbara, that creates an unusual tension between its usual small-bets approach and a project that may justify major investment.

ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES

• Sully Israel (LinkedIn)
• Strong Towns Santa Barbara (Site)
• Fixing Traffic & Unlocking Housing: A New Vision for Los Angeles (Report)
• Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn)
• Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here.

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