Council discusses Plaza Granada

ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara City Council discussed how to proceed with Plaza Granada, a 2,900 square-foot plot of open space in front of the Casas las Granadas subsidized housing complex on Anapamu Street.
After discussing their vision for the public space, city leaders voted unanimously to go forward with design plans for an urban plaza that combined elements of sustainability, artwork and landscaping, while remaining consistent with city and El Pueblo Viejo aesthetic standards.

"I think we're going to have something wonderful for downtown," Councilmember Brian Barnwell said.
Plans for the area, just south of Coffee Cat between Anacapa and Santa Barbara streets, originally called for a fossil-free design, an idea that piqued the interest of the City Council. Owen Dell, owner of County Landscape & Design and "Garden Wise Guy," initially hoped to design, build and maintain the landscaping without the use of fossil fuels.
However, after several months of discussion, Dell and city staff determined that a fossil-free approach posed a great deal of logistical concerns that would hold up construction. With Casas las Granadas set to open in January 2008, staff hoped to have the plaza open within a few months of that date.
Dell, speaking at yesterday's Council meeting, said he was disappointed that he won't be able to ride his horses down State Street with fossil-free materials and equipment in tow, but that the sustainable design being suggested now is a good compromise.
"I think we're getting better all the time," Dell said.
Councilmember Helene Schneider voiced her feeling that the plaza should contain a strong art component to draw people into the area. Barnwell took that a step further by suggesting a temporary art display with various works rotating throughout the year.
Native, drought-tolerant vegetation will be used in the landscaping, city staff said, also affirming Councilmember Das Williams' suggestion that the area be pesticide-free. At Barnwell's proposal, the Council also voted to discuss how to keep Plaza Granada as a public, open space in perpetuity at a later Council meeting.
Planning will continue through the end of the year, according to a timeline displayed by city staff, with construction slated to begin in April and wrap up in June of next year.