lightblueline

In today's Independent, Nick Welsh covers the anticipated City Council vote next week:

"Mayor Blum and City Councilmember Helene Schneider are spearheading an effort to paint a light blue line on Santa Barbara’s streets and sidewalks, showing how high the water would rise — and where Santa Barbara’s “new” seashore would be located — should Greenland’s ice sheets melt and the sea level rise approximately 21 feet. The plan comes before the City Council next Tuesday, though in revised form to address concerns of public works administrators. Rather than using an expensive process to permanently bake the light blue line onto city streets and sidewalks — as was initially proposed — light blue line advocates are now willing to use traditional paint and brush to make their environmental point. Although this will lack the permanence the organizers initially sought, it will also eliminate the need to go through the time-consuming rigors of the Historic Landmarks Commission. Assuming the plan wins support from a majority of councilmembers, the light blue line could be painted onto city streets and sidewalks sometime this September."

Actually, it was City staff that first brought up the idea of using thermoplastics instead of street paint, and lightblueline is very happy to be able to roll up our sleeves and spray the line instead of melting plastic on the streets. This also allows the design to be larger, easier for drivers and pedestrians to notice as a decoration, and should last long enough to serve its educational purpose.