A designated City Landmark, the Alameda Park Bandstand was built in 1888 after residents petitioned for its creation to provide the public with a place for entertainment. While the historic structure still stood the heart of one of Santa Barbara’s most widely used downtown parks, several structural repairs were needed to ensure the Bandstand could continue to serve as a beloved community resource and landmark.
The Alameda Park Bandstand Repair project revived one of Santa Barbara’s oldest and most idyllic entertainment venues for the community to enjoy again. The project included the replacement of the structure’s roof, ceiling, floor, stair treads, and steel guardrail supports. Seismic and waterproofing improvements were also made to extend the longevity of the repairs. After structural repairs, the Bandstand was repainted to match the historic colors. No changes were made to the structure's unique Folk Victorian craftsmanship and architectural details.
$216,118 of the project was funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)*. These grants, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provide federal funding for projects that aim to improve the quality of life for neighborhoods with low and moderate incomes, as identified by U.S. Census data. The remaining $110,979 of the project was funded by the City’s general fund.
*While not all Santa Barbara neighborhoods are eligible to receive CDBG funding, the Parks and Recreation Department regularly pursues federal, state, foundation, and private grants to fund improvement projects throughout the city each year.