Daily Archives: March 28, 2024

Project Connect Groundbreaking

Watch Video Recap

Project Connect is officially off and running following a groundbreaking ceremony held on March 18th in Old Town Goleta. The milestone event was held near the intersection of Hollister Avenue and the southbound Highway 217 onramp, a location that will be impacted by the future realignment of Hollister Avenue. The groundbreaking ceremony brought together local leaders, stakeholders and community members for this historic moment. Watch a video recap here. Project Connect is the largest capital improvement project in the history of the City and will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions, and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.

The event began with a welcome from City of Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet who emceed the event and introduced the speakers which included Mayor Paula Perotte, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Meg Henry Caltrans District 5 Project Manager, Marjie Kirn with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps and 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and Goleta Assistant Public Works Director Nina Buelna. Each expressed the magnitude and impact this project will have not just for Goleta but for the region. 

Councilmember James Kyriaco said, “This project has something for everyone. A better pedestrian experience, a safer bicycling experience, more parking and another east-west route for vehicles. It finishes flood control efforts many years in the works and includes much needed accessibility improvements to help people get from one side of the street to the other.”

“Today marks a promising achievement for the City of Goleta. This is your commitment to progress and community wellbeing. It’s more than a collaboration, it is a shared vision involving local, state and federal partnerships. We are excited to see the completion of this project and a safer and more accessible transportation network for all,” said Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Executive Director Marjie Kirn.

U.S. Congressman and Goleta resident Salud Carbajal added, “This is a great example of what can happen when the city, county, state and federal government all work together in true partnership. This is a fantastic project for Goleta residents. It will improve our commutes, protect our pedestrians and improve connectivity in our neighborhoods.”

“Project Connect is about fostering connectivity, enhancing safety and the sense of community. This project is a major investment to help make Old Town what it was meant to be, the heart and soul of Goleta,” said Supervisor Joan Hartmann.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “There will be a lot going on during construction and it is really important that we all remember to shop local and support the Old Town businesses during this multi-year project.”

Following their comments, the speakers took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking and photo opportunity.

Assistant Goleta Public Works Director Nina Buelna concluded the event by saying, “The contractor will be working along Hollister Avenue, Ekwill Street and Fowler Road for the next few years. The City of Goleta will work to keep our residents, travelers and businesses informed about all of the changes. We recognize this is an impactful project and we appreciate your patience.”

To stay updated on project milestones, construction, traffic impacts, and other important Project Connect information, go to the City’s website at www.CityofGoleta.org/ProjectConnect.

For additional information or questions, please contact: Connect@CityofGoleta.org or 805-690-5116.

About Project Connect:
Construction is underway on the multi-year project that will enhance pedestrian access and safety, improve road conditions, and build critical linkage throughout Goleta while increasing stormwater flow capacity in San Jose Creek under Hollister Bridge.

This comprehensive project includes:

  • Hollister Avenue Bridge & Roundabout Project – Construction of two roundabouts at the Hollister Ave./State Route 217 ramp intersection to improve traffic flow. Additionally, a new bridge will be built over San Jose Creek to achieve 100-year storm flow capacity.
  • Ekwill Street & Fowler Road Extension Projects – Improve east-west circulation north and south of Hollister Avenue, providing direct connections to portions of Old Town Goleta and the Santa Barbara Airport.
  • Hollister Old Town Interim Striping Project – Striping and pavement improvements, timed parking restrictions and traffic signal upgrades that will increase safety, accessibility, and mobility for all users on Hollister Avenue between Kellogg Avenue and Fairview Avenue.

Project Connect is predominantly funded by the Highway Bridge Program, State Transportation Improvement Program and local City funding.


Project Connect Groundbreaking Speakers Pose with Shovels – pictured left-to-right: Meg Henry Caltrans District 5 Project Manager, Councilmember Kyle Richards, Mayor Paula Perotte, Congressman Salud Carbajal, Councilmember James Kyriaco (District 2), Santa Barbara County Supervisors Joan Hartmann (District 3) and Laura Capps (District 2) and Marjie Kirn with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments


Audience at Project Connect Groundbreaking Ceremony


City Manager Robert Nisbet Emceeing the Groundbreaking Ceremony


Nina Buelna, City of Goleta Assistant Public Works Director, Speaking at Groundbreaking


Crowd at Project Connect Groundbreaking Ceremony

Goleta Community Center Reopening Ribbon Cutting April 4

The ribbon cutting celebration has passed – watch a video recap here and read our press release at https://tinyurl.com/2ub6n9bp.

The Goleta Community Center (GCC) Reopening Ribbon Cutting celebration is almost here. Get ready to join us on April 4th at 10:00 a.m. on the historic steps of the GCC (5679 Hollister Avenue) for this special community event. Spanish interpretation will be available. We can’t wait to officially mark the reopening of this beloved community hub which has been closed for more than a year due to seismic retrofitting. The auditorium and dining room have been closed since 2021. We encourage everyone with connections to this beloved facility to join us for this important milestone.

Here is what to expect. Come hear about the history of this almost 100-year-old facility, what it took to get to this point, and exciting plans ahead for the GCC. Speakers include Mayor Paula Perotte, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and the City’s Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer. Following comments, there will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and photo opportunities. Stay after to take a look inside and check out the 2nd Annual Senior Expo taking place.

The Senior Expo is a free community event from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on April 4th. For more information on how to attend or participate, contact JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.

For additional info on the GCC and how to book the facility, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.

Background:
Originally built in 1927, the building located at 5679 Hollister Avenue was once a school. The City acquired the building from the Goleta Union School District in 2013. The Goleta Community Center was managed by the non-profit group the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) for decades. When it was determined that the building needed seismic and accessibility upgrades, the City assumed management of the building in January 2023 and used the construction time to gather input from the community and put together a Strategic Plan for the GCC. You can view the plan here.

The City is grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funding 75% of the Seismic Retrofit Project. Thanks to federal Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Carbajal, additional Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades are planned in the coming years to make the building accessible for all users.

We hope to see you at the GCC on April 4th! 

Beautify Goleta to Celebrate Earth Day

Join Us for a Special Event on April 20

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by helping to Beautify Goleta. Back by popular demand, the City is holding a Beautify Goleta Earth Day event on Saturday April 20th. There will be a community cleanup at Bella Vista Park (intersection of Padova Drive and Placer Drive) from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (note longer time!). The community cleanup will be led by Spotlight Captain the Montessori Center School of Santa Barbara. Beautify Goleta will be featuring a limited edition “Earth Day 2024” volunteer t-shirt for participants (as supplies last). The event will also have a food truck and Waste Free Goleta & Go Green Goleta themed prize giveaways for event participants. 

In addition to the community cleanup, Beautify Goleta will also host a FREE Bulky Item Drop Off event from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Brandon School (195 Brandon Drive). Any drop-offs before or after the event will not be accepted. No electronics, medicine or hazardous waste will be accepted. You are encouraged to arrive early. The event will close early if capacity is reached before 1:00 p.m.

Thanks to the 32 amazing volunteers who participated in the Beautify Goleta spring event on Saturday morning, March 16, in Old Town. Together they collected 257 pounds of trash that otherwise would have made its way into our creeks and waterways. Types of trash picked up included bottles and cans, cigarette butts, and plastic container lids. Thanks also to the more than 40 residents who dropped off bulky items at the drop off location. In all, 6,790 pounds were collected. Popular items were old furniture, mattresses, yard waste, and chairs. Check out Beautify Goleta’s progress on our Impact Dashboard.

A big thank you to our March 16 Team Captains Community West Bank and the Goleta Rotary Club. Beautify Goleta is a year-round program to clean up trash and collect bulky items throughout the City. It is only possible with the help of Captains and volunteers. Sign up to participate in future events at www.CityofGoleta.org/BeautifyGoleta and learn more by watching this video.

We will see you on Saturday, April 20th for Goleta’s Earth Day clean-up event!

Photos below from March 16 Beautify Goleta event.


Volunteers and Captains with the trash they collected


City Team with Captains: pictured left-to-right: Roger Aceves (Captain – Goleta Rotary Club) Dan Rowell (City of Goleta Environmental Services), Lauren Quan (City of Goleta Environmental Services), Melissa Nelson (City of Goleta Environmental Services), Marty Plourd (Captain – Community West Bank) and Houria Amirkhani (Captain – Community West Bank)


Volunteers Roman Baratiak and Katherine Emery from the Santa Barbara Audubon Society


Residents dropping off bulky items at the Goleta Community Center