Designing the Armory Together

The Armory CTE & Multi-Use Facility Project

Project Overview

The Santa Barbara Unified School District is thrilled to announce the commencement of Phase One planning for the Armory Career Technical Education and Multi-Use Facility.

Located on a historic 4.7-acre site, this project represents a significant investment in our students' futures. By expanding our career pathways and building modern infrastructure, we are ensuring that every student has a bridge from the classroom to a high-wage, high-skill career.

Location: 700 E. Canon Perdido Street
Total Acreage: 4.7 Acres
Architectural Partner: 19Six Architects
Funding Source: Measure I (2016 Bond Funds)

The Armory Listening Tour: Shape Your Future

We are building a bridge between our classrooms and the workforce, but we cannot build it alone. As we begin Phase One planning, your feedback is the most critical data point we have. This is your opportunity to tell us what career pathways, housing solutions, and community spaces should call the Armory home.

Why Your Feedback Matters Right Now

We are currently in the Schematic Design phase. Decisions made during these spring sessions will directly impact the architectural plans presented to the Board of Trustees this fall.

Define Career Pathways: Help us decide which high-tech labs and 21st-century learning spaces are most needed for our students.
Evaluate Site Uses: Provide input on the best use for the 4.7-acre site, including potential workforce housing and community-use facilities.
Progress: Join the conversation on how we address the historic Armory building and gymnasium.

Tour Schedule & Locations

All sessions are open to the public and will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Date	Location	Address
April 16, 2026	La Colina Junior High	4025 Foothill Rd, Santa Barbara
April 21, 2026	Goleta Valley Junior High	6100 Stow Canyon Rd, Goleta
April 27, 2026	La Cumbre Junior High	2255 Modoc Rd, Santa Barbara
May 12, 2026	Santa Barbara Junior High	721 E Cota St, Santa Barbara

Can’t Attend in Person?

Your voice can still be heard. Our digital Community Feedback Survey (English) (Spanish)is open throughout the Spring 2026 tour window.

Current Status: Phase One Planning

Status: Architect Selected & Design Commencing On August 5, 2025, the Board of Education approved the selection of 19Six Architects to lead the Phase One Planning and Design Services. Chosen for their collaborative approach and deep experience in California educational facilities, 19Six will develop:

Conceptual Designs: Visualizing the potential of the Armory site.
Development Scenarios: Evaluating how this facility fits within the Districtwide Facilities Master Plan.
Schematic Options: Creating blueprints that reflect our community's needs.

Tentative Project Timeline at a Glance

Spring 2026: Listening Tours & Community Survey.
Fall 2026: Board of Trustees Update & Schematic Design Review.
Winter 2027: Design Development.
Summer 2028: Construction Starts.
Fall 2030: Anticipated Project Completion

Frequently Asked Questions

Why This Project?

Why is the District focused on Career Technical Education (CTE) at this site? In 2016, voters approved Measure I, which funded the acquisition of the Armory for "educational purposes, including career technical education." Legally, CTE is not optional; it is required by the bond language approved by the voters.

Can the site be used for anything else? Yes. While CTE must be a core component, we can include other "educational purposes." This is why we are asking for your input on secondary uses, such as workforce housing for teachers and staff.

Why not build a new school or just expand Santa Barbara High School? The site is specifically designated by the California Department of Education as an auxiliary campus. Rather than a standalone school, it acts as an extension of our existing campuses

The Program: What Happens There?

What CTE pathways are being considered? This will be determined by feedback we receive through the listening tour. We are focused on emerging 21st-century fields as well as those preparing students for industries prevalent in Santa Barbara and Goleta. The designs will be based on feedback from this listening tour.

Will this program be open to all high school students? Yes. The Armory is a districtwide resource. It is designed as a "pavilion" model, allowing students from any of our high schools to access specialized labs and equipment not available on their home campuses.

Will this take students away from other schools? No. Students remain enrolled at their home high schools. They will visit the Armory for specific, high-level technical coursework, much like a specialized science lab or athletic facility.

Can we move existing CTE programs to this site? This will be determined through the listening tour and meetings with current CTE teachers. The goal is to expand and enhance offerings, not just shuffle them

The Logistics: Cost & Timing

How is this being paid for? The project is funded by Measure I bond proceeds and Tatum funds, restricted to facilities and capital improvements. These funds cannot be used for classroom operations or salaries.

What will happen to the main Armory building? The costs of any work on the Armory building exceed current funding. We will consider its future once work on the CTE pavilion begins.

How much will the program and transportation cost? Operational costs, including student transportation, will be determined after the "Conceptual Design" phase when we know which programs will be housed there.

What has been happening with the site over the last decade? After voters approved the purchase in 2016, the District acquired the site from the state in 2018. Since then, we have conducted structural assessments, secured preliminary state (CDE) approvals, and completed due diligence to begin the design phase.

The Future: What’s Next?

What is the timeline moving forward?

Spring 2026: Community Listening Tour & Survey.
Fall 2026: Conceptual designs presented to the Board.
2027: Finalizing blueprints and state approvals.
2028: Anticipated construction start.

What is the next step in the process? Gathering your input. Once the listening tour ends, our architects at 19six will use your feedback to create the first floor plans and site designs.

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