Of all the arguments I’ve heard in favor of reopening State Street to car traffic—a move my family wholeheartedly supports—the most sensible, facts-on-the-ground analysis was published on your site by Craig Saling, proprietor of the Santa Barbara Cash Register company.
In his August 4 op-ed, “A main street should serve all, not a select few,” Mr. Saling drew on his nearly two decades of experience servicing small businesses up and down our main street. What drew my attention in particular was his conclusion that the businesses located at and below Haley St. are advantaged by being observed by people driving in cars, especially those “thriving” businesses located at or near the corner of Haley and State, and the 500 block of State. The businesses located in the “disadvantaged” no-car zone further north, he noted, are “struggling” because they cannot be seen from automobiles.
This supply-side business intelligence perfectly dovetails with the frustrations my family experiences on the demand side, as we’re unable to shop or dine between Cota and Anapamu; it’s unknown territory. I hereby nominate Mr. Saling to a blue-ribbon commission charged with reopening State!
