One block of State Street will soon see a new outdoor dining concept called “pedlets,” or modular sidewalk extensions that the city of Santa Barbara will begin installing along the 500 block of downtown’s main drag on Monday, September 8. The new pilot program is intended to test out a different dining setup with outdoor seating moved from the street closer to the buildings, a change that planners hope will lead to a smoother flow for pedestrians.
The city began exploring the pilot program earlier this year as part of a series of short-term fixes for State Street while city planners continue working toward the long-range State Street Master Plan. The prefabricated pedlets are made by Colorado-based company MODSTREET and were purchased for $528,000 after the City Council approved the project back in April.
Crews will begin by removing the current outdoor dining parklets along the block of State Street between Haley and Cota streets starting this Monday. The sidewalk extensions will be placed along the existing curbs, and the businesses with outdoor seating will move their setups directly outside their properties…