As part of the emergency response to the pandemic, the City of Santa Barbara decided to close part of the downtown State Street to cars to allow for social distancing and outdoor dining spaces. The City was looking for an alternative to unsightly barriers to block off the streets from vehicular traffic.

Downtown Santa Barbara is known for its rich Spanish heritage and historic buildings that add character to the area. The City's commitment to tying the neighborhood in Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture has earned the City's reputation as one of the most attractive cities. The newly installed TerraCast Californian planters add to the downtown Santa Barbara charm while serving as barriers, traffic delineators, and hold signages. The car-free promenade project has been a success, and the City is planning to add more planters throughout the downtown area in the coming years.