Survey to Rank Design Concepts for Site of Franceschi House Now Open

The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input for a future project at the site of Franceschi House within Franceschi Park. After multiple attempts to restore the building since 1971, the City Council voted unanimously in 2018 to replace Franceschi House with a space that would honor the legacy of the building and its previous owners, botanist Francesco Franceschi and philanthropist Alden Freeman, while providing access to the public.

Four potential design concepts have been created based on community feedback from an in-person workshop held in February and 696 responses to a public survey. 

A public workshop was held on Saturday, May 11, to review each design concept. A brief community survey is now open through Monday, May 27, for community members to rank their preferred design concepts at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Franceschi.

The preferred design concept will be refined and presented to the Historic Landmarks Commission for review. The Commission’s feedback will be used to refine the concept further and advance design plans. 

The design and planning phase of the project is expected to be an extensive, multi-year process, including ongoing public outreach and a comprehensive environmental review process.

More information about this project, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Franceschi.