City News in Brief - May 1, 2023

Image depicts an aerial shot overlooking a construction site with a dirt surface and workers

Library Construction Update

The construction project at Central Library is progressing to a new phase this spring. Central Library will be temporarily closed May 8-11, due to scheduled work on the ADA elevator project. The Michael Towbes Library Plaza construction project will also reach a new milestone next week. Construction crews will begin laying the pavers, including the path to the Anapamu Entrance, on May 5. While crews complete that work, the main entrance to Central Library from Anapamu Street will be closed for approximately 4-6 weeks.

Image shows three officers smiling, two men and a woman in uniform, smiling in front of the Police Department.

Police Department Accepting Community Academy Applicants

The Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2023 Community Academy. The academy will run for six weeks, meeting every Wednesday from 6 - 8:30 p.m. between May 10 – June 14, 2023. Community members will get to participate in a behind-the-scenes SBPD experience and will be able to meet sworn and professional staff. This is also an outstanding opportunity for people interested in a career at SBPD or those who want to learn more about the Police Department.

Convenient Parking for

May Events

Live Music, the City Hall Open House, art and wine events, your social calendar is about to heat up! With a variety of fun, local events happening this month, the Public Works Downtown Team created an informational flyer with the most convenient and closest City parking lot to park in, that coincides with the event location. Don't forget there is also an easy pay-by-phone option to pay for Downtown Parking lots.

A person holds their hands together, showing microplastic debris in their hands

City Receives $1.26 Million Grant to Research Microplastic Pollution Prevention

Microplastics are small plastic fibers, about the size of a pencil eraser, found on our streets, creeks and ocean. The project, “Clean Streets, Clean Seas: Innovating Public Works to Intercept Microplastics in Urban Runoff,” will provide the first measured and reported results on the impacts of street sweeping and trash capture devices on microplastic marine debris in storm water runoff, which transports the bulk of microplastic pollution to the sea.

Forestry Program Celebrates Arbor Day at Local Schools

Last week, staff from the City's Urban Forestry program visited local elementary schools to celebrate Arbor Day. Students from kindergarten through sixth grade learned about the importance of protecting our urban forest and helped plant new trees on campus for current and future students to enjoy.

Need to Know