Regarding the article "Untangling Downtown Santa Barbara Dysfunction: Should Property Owners Do More to Save State Street," of course, they should do more, specifically to attract local residents to downtown.
The city should buy or lease a large building in the downtown area and turn that into a cultural or mercado center where students from area high schools and colleges can hold competitions in such things as debate, dance, art, speech, architectural design, orchestra/music, high school brain games, talent contests, and other competitions.
Use some of the local theaters to hold some of these events and charge a small fee to use the buildings.