Direct Relief Headquarters and Warehouse Get Go-Ahead

Plans to build a new warehouse and headquarters for Direct Relief was designated a “community benefit” by the City Council this week. Direct Relief hopes to occupy 8.5 acres of real estate now owned by City Hall near the Santa Barbara Airport. The designation is significant because city build-out policies over the next 20 years call for 1.35 million square feet of nonresidential growth, of which 600,000 should be earmarked “community benefit.” The project will consume 110,000 square feet of that total.