City: life-safety inspection led to red tag of Casa de la Raza; community urges purchase, repairs

City Administrator Ms. McAdoo told the Santa Barbara City Council that a recent inspection during a walk-through with the real estate representatives for a building in bankruptcy led staff to ‘‘red tag’’ the former Casa de la Raza building because of ‘‘serious life safety concerns.’’ The administrator said the City is finalizing a notice of violations that will be served on the property owner, who has 30 days to begin compliance and corrections.

Why it matters: Casa de la Raza is a long‑standing cultural and community center on Santa Barbara’s Westside that speakers and residents said serves seniors, artists, youth and other vulnerable residents. Council members and dozens of public commenters pressed the council and staff for options to reopen or preserve the resource while repairs proceed.

At the council meeting McAdoo said the building department and the fire department will ‘‘help to answer questions and work with the owners to bring the building back into compliance for occupancy,’’ and emphasized that ‘‘the private property owner is responsible for the repairs to the…