HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/22/2020 Item 1, Jenkins
From:Mallory Jenkins <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Schwartz, Luke; Pete Rodgers
Subject:SLOCOG letter of support for Open SLO (Agenda Item 1)
Attachments:SLOCOG_SLOCity_SupportOpenSLOLetter_052220.pdf
Dear SLO City Council Members,
Attached please find a letter of support for Agenda Item 1 – Open SLO. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you
have any questions.
Thank you for all you do!
Mallory Jenkins
Rideshare Program Manager
SLOCOG
San Luis Obispo, CA
805.781.4362
slocog.org // rideshare.org
1
May 22, 2020
SLO City Council
990 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: Letter of Support for Open SLO – Temporary use of City right-of-way to facilitate social distancing and
support COVID-19 economic recovery
Dear SLO City Council Members:
On behalf of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), the Regional Transportation Planning
Agency (RTPA) for San Luis Obispo County, I am writing in support of the Open SLO program. The program
aligns with several goals of the 2019 Regional Transportation Plan, among them:
• Improving intermodal mobility and accessibility for all people
• Supporting a vibrant economy
• Improving public safety
• Fostering livable, healthy communities and promoting social equity
Additionally, SLOCOG’s Regional Rideshare program has had demonstrated success partnering with the City of
SLO, Big Sky Cafe, and Ten Over Studio over the past several years to build temporary parklets during
Rideshare Week by reclaiming parking spaces for outdoor dining and recreation. As a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, SLO County residents are increasingly turning to active modes of transportation such as biking and
walking to report to essential jobs, go to the grocery store, and stay active for physical, social, and emotional
well-being. The increase of active travel combined with the dramatic reduction of vehicle traffic provides an
immediate opportunity for the City to re-prioritize local streets by creating more public space for recreation,
while continuing to provide safe access to essential businesses and services.
SLOCOG and SLO Rideshare staff stand ready to support the City in this effort by reaching out to residents,
employers, and schools to get the word out and help communities engage in making these ideas a reality. We
can also support public engagement to help identify additional pilot locations around the city, if needed.
We realize this is a challenging time of disruption, and that while everyone is pondering and planning for the
“new normal” our hope is to encourage the City to expedite many of the plans it already has in place to open
streets for people of all ages and abilities, now and in the future. If you have any inquiries regarding this letter,
please do not hesitate to contact me or Rideshare Program Manager Mallory Jenkins at (805) 781-4362 or by
e-mail at mjenkins@slocog.org.
Sincerely,
Peter Rodgers
Executive Director