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Downtown to get large Bloomberg asphalt‑art pilot blending safety and Zapotec weaving motifs
Summary
Santa Barbara and the County Office of Arts & Culture won a $100,000 Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative grant to paint State Street and the State/Coronel intersection with designs by lead artist Eddie Jimenez; staff say the temporary pilot (minimum 24 months) aims to improve wayfinding, bring cultural recognition and lower pedestrian crash risk.
The city announced it has been awarded a $100,000 Bloomberg Asphalt Art Initiative grant to install painted street treatments at the intersection of State and Carrillo/Coronel (the farmers market gateway) and along adjacent blocks of State Street.
Project scope and goals: Sarah York Rubin and Tess Harris presented the project (artist leads Eddie Jimenez and Irene Ramirez), describing painted curb extensions, decorative crosswalks and wrapped planters. The design draws from Zapotec weaving traditions to rehome and celebrate the farmers market and local Indigenous cultural connections. Staff emphasized safety benefits: painted crossings and curb extensions are intended to slow traffic, shorten crossing distances and make crossings more predictable for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
Pilot and materials: The Bloomberg grant funds a 24‑month pilot; staff selected textured epoxy paint rated for traffic friction and coordinated the installation to minimize weekend disruptions. Installation is scheduled to begin Monday, April 6, with completion by May 1; crews will stage weekday work and keep weekends open for vehicle traffic. Friends of State Street and other community partners will support an on‑site paint depot and volunteer program during the installation.
Why it matters: Staff cited Bloomberg’s multi‑city study showing that asphalt‑art treatments can reduce crashes: the study reported an average 17% reduction in crash rates and a 50% decline in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists in cities studied. Staff framed the project as a relatively low‑cost, rapidly implementable way to improve both downtown place‑making and safety where the Saturday Farmers Market brings thousands of visitors.
Quotes: Sarah York Rubin, County Office of Arts & Culture: “Through the art, we hope to create a more plaza‑like feel for the market.” Lead artist Eddie Jimenez: “We’re trying to bring awareness of a community that has a lot of impact on the farmers market itself…we’re trying to bring awareness of a community that has a lot of impact on the farmers market itself.”
Next steps: Installation in April; staff will monitor safety metrics and community response during the 24‑month pilot and report back on outcomes and maintenance needs.
