Alma Del Pueblo Makes Huge Strides

July through September have been busy months for the construction of Alma Del Pueblo, as the development has made major progress over the course of the summer.  The Vons grocery store was demolished, and nearly 80% of the remains were recycled.  Two large palm trees were shipped to local nurseries, and large wooden sheaths and beams were sent to Mexico to help build homes. 

           The six large mosaic murals were also successfully moved to their new location. Eight construction workers and two crane operators labored for sixteen hours to relocate the panels, and only 3 of the 465,000 tiles were lost in the process. This feat totaled out to be $150,000, which is nearly six times the price it took for Joseph Knowles to assemble the artwork fifty years ago. Knowles, a popular local artist, depicted six separate scenes that are important to Santa Barbara’s history. These images range from Chumash Indians to the Santa Barbara Mission, and later, space exploration.

            I encourage you to check out the Alma Del Pueblo Official Website, as well as the Santa Barbara Public Market Official Website.  I will keep the Alma Del Pueblo updates coming!