What Will Happen to the SBPD Building When the New Building Is Completed?

I know the city is working on a new building for the Santa Barbara Police Department. Once it’s finished, what will happen to the current building on E. Figueroa Street? —A.

“There has been nothing decided as of yet, but city staff is looking at several ideas to determine the highest and best use for the space,” said Shelly Cone, the city’s community engagement manager and public information officer.

The big decision will be whether to try and work with the existing building at 215 E. Figueroa Street (Garden/Santa Barbara) or tear it down. “There have been no decisions at all,” said Cone when I asked specifically about demolition. “It’s a process, and there are ideas being discussed, but it’s still just in the idea phase.” I’m waiting to hear back exactly what the process entails, and whether it starts with the city administrator or someone else.

While the main reason the SBPD has wanted to move is size—the new building at the corner of Cota and Santa Barbara, where the Saturday farmers’ market is now, will be much larger*—its current building is also in need a lot of work. A 2010 assessment by Paul Poirer & Associates Architects laid out the many issues with the 1959 building—seismic, asbestos and lead, ADA compliance, and more. Given that it is not considered a jewel in the architectural crown of Santa Barbara, and is not protected in any way, I wouldn’t be surprised if the city argues for demolition. A consolidation of the city’s many separate offices into one administrative complex might be a prudent move, as it would free up land for low-income housing. The lot at 215 E. Figueroa is 1.1 acres.

*The existing building is 24,164 square feet, with a 9,608-square-foot annex. The new building will be 64,000 square feet, with an 84,000-square-foot parking structure.

P.S. The farmers’ market will likely move to the intersection of State and Carrillo.

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Previous Burning Questions:
••• How does the city decide to mark bike lanes?
••• What’s the story with this house on W. Cota Street?
••• What are those little houses on Santa Barbara Street?
••• Which Highway 101 exits are getting renamed?
••• Why is so much of the Macy’s store empty?
↓↓↓ Will Delta Air Lines ever reinstate service to Santa Barbara Airport?
••• Is the Music Academy of the West adding pedestrian gates?
••• Is the county really taking private property for trailhead parking?
••• Why does the Coast Village Road median look so bad?
••• Is Santa Barbara going to introduce residential compost bins?
••• What’s the point of this light pole near the freeway?
••• Why are the city’s parking lots scanning license plates?
••• What’s inside Paseo Nuevo’s State Street tower?
••• What’s the point of these markings on Laguna Street?
••• Why is there a giant red shoe off Highway 101?
••• Will the Dorinda Triangle ever get beautified?
••• Are we no longer allowed on the SBHS baseball field?
••• What does “SBTP” on this post mean?
••• What’s up with the “no e-bike” signs on local trails?
••• Why is Franceschi House in a holding pattern?
••• Why is there a train station inside this State Street storefront?
••• What’s happening with this derelict house in Summerland?
••• Why is there wood on some power lines?
••• Can you explain how sundowner winds work?
••• Why is there a pressure cooker attached to this utility pole?
••• What’s this concrete ramp thing on East Beach?
••• Why does “USA” get written on the street?
••• What are those poles in the ocean near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara?
••• Are people really allowed to set fires in the middle of Montecito?
••• What’s the story with the half-finished lot next to the Montecito Country Mart? 

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