STATE STREET: PEDESTRIAN PARADISE OR EMPTY AVENUE FOR ELITIST DREAMS?

It seems the Santa Barbara Independent has once again confused a bureaucratic boondoggle with a 'renaissance,' breathlessly celebrating State Street's continued car-free status. Apparently, a street devoid of the lifeblood of commerce – regular folks who drive to shop – is a sign of progress, if you’re a progressive city planner, that is. They cheer on the "people first, not cars" mantra, which, translated from progressive-speak, means "make it inconvenient for anyone who doesn't live within walking distance or prefer a unicycle."

One has to wonder what "renaissance of activity" they're observing. Is it the thriving homeless encampments that pop up when legitimate businesses struggle? Or perhaps the bustling tumbleweeds bouncing merrily past empty storefronts? While the ideologues in power pat themselves on the back for their bold vision, actual business owners are likely wondering why their sales figures don't quite align with the Independent's rosy, utopian narrative. It's almost as if denying easy access to customers with disposable income isn't a stellar business strategy for everyone not peddling artisanal kombucha.

But fear not, dear taxpayer! Our esteemed city council, no doubt spurred on by well-heeled activists with ample time on their hands, is determined to make sure State Street remains a monument to their peculiar brand of urban planning. What they're missing, as usual, is the connection between accessibility, foot traffic, and the cold, hard cash that keeps local businesses afloat and city coffers from emptying. While they play at 'placemaking,' they're actively unmaking the very economic vibrancy they claim to champion. Only in Santa Barbara can an empty street be deemed a triumph of the human spirit. Perhaps the Independent could do a follow-up piece on how many cars *aren't* being driven on State Street, if they really want to measure its 'success' for the environment.