HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/5/2022 Item 6a, Swigger
Delgado, Adriana
From:Bettina Swigger <bettina@downtownslo.com>
Sent:Friday, July 1, 2022
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:July 5 2022 Council Meeting Agenda Item 6a - Outdoor Dining and Permanent
Parklet Program
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Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Downtown SLO, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide
input while you review the recommendation for establishing a permanent parklet program and refining the
outdoor dining guide. Downtown SLO exists to foster an economically vibrant Downtown. Our focus is to draw
people into Downtown San Luis Obispo to shop and dine, through events and placemaking.
The creation and rapid deployment of parklets due to a health crisis has transformed the downtown
environment. We recognize that the City of San Luis Obispo went above and beyond to provide resources,
materials, and labor to support the businesses who were not allowed to operate indoors during the COVID-19
pandemic shutdown. We know from our peer organizations that other cities were not as generous with their
businesses, and we are grateful to the City.
While we have not yet seen the end of the virus, we have seen a return to regular operations at most of our
businesses, and so now is the appropriate time to adopt a permanent program and update the dining guide.
We are in support of the concept of clean, well-designed, well-maintained parklets and see the value they bring
in creating an inviting downtown environment.
Downtown SLO staff, board, and member businesses have been heavily involved in the development of this
plan. We worked closely with City staff to ask questions and get clarification on the program that is before you
to approve. We hosted a zoom meeting on May 11, we conducted extensive outreach for the online public
feedback period, and we attended the May 26 Public Workshop at the SLO Library. City staff also presented to
our Parking and Access Committee and our Board of Directors.
We recognize that there is a diversity in opinion among our businesses, but after careful review, we are in
support of the program as outlined in the Outdoor Dining Guide Draft, especially since we recognize the need
for maximizing lost parking revenue in order to move forward with the construction of the Cultural Arts District
Parking Structure. We look forward to seeing the cooperation of neighboring businesses and property owners
to continue to create an aesthetically-pleasing space for people to enjoy our public spaces, while also
supporting local businesses.
Thank you,
1
Support Local - Shop, Dine, & Play Downtown
2