HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/15/2022 Item 6a, Swigger
Delgado, Adriana
From:Bettina Swigger <bettina@downtownslo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, February
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:February 22 Council Meeting - Item 6a Support for SLO Rep Theatre
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Mayor Stewart and Honorable Council Members Christianson, Marx, Pease, and Shoresman:
Downtown San Luis Obispo has fared better than many other downtowns during the pandemic, thanks in no
small part to the dedication and investment by the City of San Luis Obispo. In fact, thanks to the City’s adroit
management of expenses, there is an extraordinary opportunity for you to invest in several projects that will
strengthen our community – and help foster an economically vibrant downtown, which is our mission as
Downtown SLO.
Specifically, we refer to the onetime funds you have available to allocate to advance several projects that will
provide long-term community benefits. Downtown SLO’s Board of Directors strongly supports the request by
the SLO REP (San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre), and we encourage you to to invest in this project so that
they may create a new, state-of-the-art theatre together with the construction of the Cultural District Parking
Structure.
To the degree possible, we urge you to invest in long-term opportunities – like the SLO REP project – that will
help reinforce downtown’s long-term position as vital to our City, County, regional economy and identity.
Among our organization’s values is the belief that a thriving economy depends on authentic connection
through a variety of experiences – shopping, dining, and being together at cultural events. Downtowns that
house cultural institutions like theaters, museums, concert halls, and art galleries have more cohesive
identities and invoke more community pride in local residents. Furthermore, they attract cultural tourists, who
stay longer and spend more money than other types of travelers. The City recognizes this and has invested in
performing arts institutions over the years; for example, the PAC would not have become a reality without the
City’s support more than 25 years ago.
And now, with the SLO Rep Project, there is another wonderful opportunity for Downtown businesses,
residents, and the broader community to benefit.
The expansion and enhancement of cultural experiences is all the more vital if downtown is to remain the
vibrant center of the city’s cultural life. Investing in projects that reinforce this vision of downtown’s centrality
is consistent with the current Major City Goals and the Downtown Concept Plan and is deeply rooted in the
City’s history and the community’s values. SLO REP’s programming in a new, state-of-the-art theatre would
provide a major step forward for our Downtown Cultural District, and we encourage you to support SLO REP’s
request for a challenge grant.
Thank you,
1
Bettina Swigger, CEO
on behalf of the Downtown SLO Board of Directors
Support Local - Shop, Dine, & Play Downtown
2