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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/20/2021 Item 10, Harris Wilbanks, Megan From:Kevin Harris < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:AGENDA ITEM #10- PARKING Attachments:COUNCIL LETTER- ITEM #10, 4.19.21.pdf This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. SLO City Council Members: As Managing Artistic Director and Board President of San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, we would like to express our organization’s support of the proposed parking strategies presented by Staff in Agenda Item #10. The Staff’s preview of a strategic budget direction should be reassuring to the entire region that this City is determined to recover quickly and creatively from the pandemic. What the Staff and Council have done over the last 14 months to enable downtown businesses to survive the pandemic has been astounding. The Staff’s proposed strategic direction is necessarily broad and deep, but we believe the parking strategies are the linchpin to ensure downtown’s long-term vibrancy. SLO REP applauds the parking strategies as outlined in the Staff report, including the proposed rate increases. These modest increases will ensure that the much-needed – and long-delayed – Palm/Nipomo structure will be built on the shortest timeline possible. For more than 10 years, SLO REP has been in a close partnership with the City to build a new downtown theatre venue, which would anchor the region’s long-envisioned Downtown Cultural District. These proposed changes are vital to bring this area of the Downtown Core to life as our City begins the difficult economic recovery after COVID. We believe this specific parking structure is the key building block necessary for a swift, bold resurgence for our City. Its construction will immediately unlock numerous other desired projects, with benefits for all residents, and, indeed, the entire region. The SLO REP Board, Staff, and hundreds of supporters of our capital campaign remain 100% committed to build this cultural institution as soon as possible, and look forward to the day that ground can be broken on this essential parking structure. In partnership, 1 Kevin Harris Michael Simkins MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BOARD PRESIDENT Kevin Harris (he/him/his) Managing Artistic Director www.slorep.org SAN LUIS OBISPO REPERTORY THEATRE Unforgettable Characters. Extraordinary Stories. Since 1947. Facebook | Instagram | Blog | Twitter | YouTube Mission: SLO REP strengthens theatre’s cultural influence and enriches the Central Coast by producing professional theatre, nurturing artists and providing theatre education for children and adults. Our Belief: Live theatre’s powerful storytelling connects people in ways that open the mind, nourish the soul and illuminate our shared humanity. SLO REP is a proud member of: 2 The San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization. Federal Tax ID #95-2556678 • No goods or services were offered in exchange for this gift. April 19, 2021 SLO City Council Members: As Managing Artistic Director and Board President of San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, we would like to express our organization’s support of the proposed parking strategies presented by Staff in Agenda Item #10. The Staff’s preview of a strategic budget direction should be reassuring to the entire region that this City is determined to recover quickly and creatively from the pandemic. What the Staff and Council have done over the last 14 months to enable downtown businesses to survive the pandemic has been astounding. The Staff’s proposed strategic direction is necessarily broad and deep, but we believe the parking strategies are the linchpin to ensure downtown’s long-term vibrancy. SLO REP applauds the parking strategies as outlined in the Staff report, including the proposed rate increases. These modest increases will ensure that the much- needed – and long-delayed – Palm/Nipomo structure will be built on the shortest timeline possible. For more than 10 years, SLO REP has been in a close partnership with the City to build a new downtown theatre venue, which would anchor the region’s long- envisioned Downtown Cultural District. These proposed changes are vital to bring this area of the Downtown Core to life as our City begins the difficult economic recovery after COVID. We believe this specific parking structure is the key building block necessary for a swift, bold resurgence for our City. Its construction will immediately unlock numerous other desired projects, with benefits for all residents, and, indeed, the entire region. The SLO REP Board, Staff, and hundreds of supporters of our capital campaign remain 100% committed to build this cultural institution as soon as possible, and look forward to the day that ground can be broken on this essential parking structure. In partnership, Kevin Harris Michael Simkins MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BOARD PRESIDENT