Anonymous
Source: Isla Vista Community Services District
The Isla Vista Community Services District successfully applied for a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant of $182,158 from the State of California Air Resources Board. This project would develop an equity-based, community mobility plan for Isla Vista. The goal of this planning effort is to empower Isla Vista residents to identify gaps in their mobility ecosystem, experiment with solutions, and develop a list of priority projects that will increase access to an equitable, affordable, sustainable, and safe multimodal transportation system. The project would consist of a mobility needs assessment, deep and wide community outreach, pop-ups and demonstration projects, and the creation of a plan containing a list of projects prioritized by community residents for funding and implementation.
Sub Applicants include Isla Vista Youth Projects, Santa Barbara MTD, and the County of Santa Barbara. Community Partners include Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC), Coalition for Sustainable Transportation (COAST), UC Santa Barbara Office of Sustainability, Cool Block/Empowerment Institute, Community Environmental Council (CEC), Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBike), Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara (HACSB), and Isla Vista Food Cooperative (IVFC).
“This grant is the first major competitive grant we’ve applied for, we are ready to put these funds to work for the benefit of Isla Vista, in partnership with diverse community groups for outreach,” said Jonathan Abboud, General Manager of the IVCSD. “Developing this community mobility plan is in line with the IVCSD Board of Directors’ goals to create a locally controlled planning program in Isla Vista and to enhance transportation & parking in the community,” said Spencer Brandt, Board President of the IVCSD.
The Isla Vista Community Services District is Isla Vista’s first broad based local government, achieving 47 years of community advocacy for self governance. The IVCSD is empowered to provide eight critical services including public safety, housing mediation, community facilities, parking, graffiti abatement, lighting and sidewalks, and both a municipal advisory council and area planning commission. The Board is composed of five publicly elected directors and two directors appointed by UC Santa Barbara and the County of Santa Barbara.
