As an Eastside resident and concerned citizen, I have witnessed a decline in business traffic, promotion, and use of local resources within our vibrant community. Despite Eastside's potential as a thriving business hub and tourist destination, it seems the City of Santa Barbara has overlooked this area in comparison to the attention lavished on State Street and Cabrillo Blvd.

To revitalize the Eastside, a community of Eastside residents alongside SBCAN and other organizations, propose creating a dedicated Eastside Resources/Businesses page on the official City of Santa Barbara website. This page would include hyperlinks to local business websites and contact information, enhancing visibility and accessibility for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, this page would promote Eastside resources such as libraries, community centers, and services for families to bolster community resilience and increase use of existing services. Such a resource would empower local businesses and invigorate our community’s economic and social vitality.

Furthermore, to elevate Eastside’s online presence, we call for the hiring of City staff or the designation of funds towards a local nonprofit to manage social media accounts that uplift our Milpas restaurants. In doing so, we can attract more visitors and invigorate our community’s economy.

Please sign this petition to urge the City of Santa Barbara to create an Eastside businesses & resources tab on the official City website and designate funds to promoting Milpas restaurants on social media.