Downtown Santa Barbara office building eyed for hotel conversion

Downtown Santa Barbara office building eyed for hotel conversion

AB Design Studio is spearheading a project that would transform an existing office building at 114 E. Haley St. into a 37-room hotel. The proposal has already been approved by the Santa Barbara Architectural Board of Review and is now nearing the building permit stage.Some residents say the project is unnecessary.Chris Milam, who works across the street from the site, said the city should prioritize affordable housing over hotel development.Seem…