Why Are There Story Poles at Calle Real Center?

Any idea about these story poles at Calle Real Center? I believe there are more to the west as well, but I didn’t get a good look. —R.

The Towbes Group, which owns the shopping center, has been working on a facelift for a while now. The project is still making its way through the Goleta process: it will return to the Design Review Board for preliminary review, at a date to be determined; then go to the Planning Commission; and then be sent back to the Design Review Board for final review. So in other words, the design could yet change.

According to the plans, “The proposed redesign aims to create an upscale shopping experience that reflects the essence of Goleta in a cost-effective and strategic way. The redevelopment plan will guide the improvement of the existing buildings, curate tenant locations to maximize positive relationships and foster activity, introduce new signage and graphics, and enhance exterior spaces with new planting, lighting, and outdoor furnishings. […] The architectural style of the renovation is a contemporary interpretation of agricultural buildings, intended to honor Goleta’s longstanding agrarian history. The stucco and ornamental trim of the existing Spanish Colonial center will be replaced by a rich variety of materials including wood, shed roofs, plaster, metal siding, and board-and-batten detailing.”

But don’t look for it to happen all at once: “Implementation of the master plan will be flexible and phased in over time.”

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Phase 1: Building D
Besides the “architectural enhancements” described above, the plan for Building D—on the south side of Calle Real—involves demolishing “1,740 square feet of the southwest corner (currently leased by Fedex) to create a new 3,100-square-foot parking lot.” The freestanding KFC building is not getting changed at this time, which means it’ll be a Spanish Colonial relic amid the agrarian-inspired architecture until the terms of the lease are changed. (The images below are photos of what currently exists, paired with renderings of what’s proposed.)

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Phase 2: Building A
The plan for Building A, at the shopping center’s northwest corner, calls for the removal of 14 parking spaces “to make room for a 17,000-square-foot public amenity, named Grove Park, between buildings A and B.” There will also be a pavilion with public restroom facilities and a “covered community lounge.”

These are renderings of Grove Park and its restroom pavilion. “The large space includes outdoor dining patios and a grove of mature olive trees. It features a performance area where musicians can entertain guests and diners, as well as a turf lawn where children can run and play. […] A paseo into the nearby residential community creates another pedestrian connection to the neighborhood.”

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Phase 3: Building B
At Building B, also on the north side of Calle Real, eight parking spaces will be removed “to make room for a 7,750-square-foot public amenity named Citrus Court between buildings B and C. […] Surrounding a central fire pit, bespoke seating elements accented with vintage label art are stacked and informally arranged to evoke citrus packing crates.

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Phase 4: Building E
Back on Calle Real’s south side, a new pedestrian ramp will connect building E to the Albertson’s supermarket, which is not included in the redevelopment.

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Phase 5: Building C
The changes to Building C, on the north side of Calle Real, are cosmetic.

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Phase 6: Building F
In the northeast corner, there will be an “overall upgrade of the existing bank building […] for a use to be determined.” That sounds like Montecito Bank & Trust isn’t long for that space, but Towbes says that the bank has exercised its term. (There was no rendering for this one.)

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The renderings include a mix of existing business names and made-up ones, which may or may not be meaningful. As for the rustic signage in the rendering below. Towbes says that the name Calle Real Center “is not slated to change at this time.”

Got a question you’d like investigated? Email [email protected] or text 917-209-6473.

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Previous Burning Questions:
••• When will the last segment of Highway 101 get upgraded?
••• Why are there “no grading” signs on the Edison Catway?
••• Why are there pedestrian gates at train tracks?
••• Is this Summerland’s original train station?
••• What does the “S” on certain chimneys stand for?
••• What’s the status of the decommissioning of Rincon Island?
••• What happened to the gas flame on Highway 101?
••• What do we know about the proposed apartment complex at 1 Hot Springs Road?
••• What’s the history of this tower on Ortega Ridge?
••• What’s up with these sculptures on a hillside in Summerland?
••• Is there a master plan for the new walking paths in Montecito?
••• Why are the Thousand Steps still wet?
••• What’s happening with Sola Street?
••• Why are trees being cut down above the San Ysidro Ranch?
••• Why is this lot on Milpas Street still vacant?
••• Where else do cruise ships that visit here go?
••• What’s happening with the Pepper Tree Inn?
••• What is this large memorial in Ennisbrook?
••• Who bought the former St. Mary’s seminary—and why?
••• What will happen to the SBPD building when the new building is completed?
••• 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?
••• What’s the point of this light pole near the freeway?
••• 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?
••• 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?
••• 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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