HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Stanio
Arika Stanio <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:DT Parking
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To the people trying to help,
Thank you for the opening dialogue on this subject. My experience on the subject comes from someone who pays their
mortgage and business license, with money made from working DT. I get off an 8 hour shift bartending, tired, and walk
into an unattended, poorly lit garage clenching to my wine key for protection. I pay $12 a day which takes almost a full
hour to earn. I make more than minimum wage but am the exception compared to most employees of our local shops
and restaurants.
While working at Hotel SLO, I had several staff go home after being horrified. They saw a young woman fall to her death
from the top of a city parking structure. I would gladly pay more money per hour if it meant adding security guards, and
cameras, to protect us. I do not feel safe in the garages I have to use when no other spot is available. The alternative,
walk many blocks late at night alone and hope for the best. That's disgusting and it's not good enough. Instead, we are
giving our city money, then giving more money in taxes, and receiving less revenue and gratuity as our visitors have to
be price conscious and limit time spent DT.
People are changing their spending habits to accommodate the new parking rates, with inconsistent and inconvenient
time limits, and it's hurting the locals. This is not who we are, and this is not good business. Charging more on parking is
not beneficial to anyone but the city. If someone has to charge more and offers less, they don't deserve the chance to
survive and impart further detriment.
We all depend on DT SLO for revenue, as well as image. It's the first place people go to when exploring our city, and the
hub for potential Cal Poly students. The message we are sending to visitors and locals is clear: we have to spend money,
to spend more money, and we receive nothing in return. Charging more than LA, SB, and SF is discouraging people from
putting there money where it benefits the people of the city. As a business owner I understand rate increases, inflation,
etc. however, my prices raise and my service is better for my clients.
Failure to correct this will continue to justifiably upset locals, and discourage everyone from spending money on our
beautiful and struggling DT. We are still recovering from the pandemic closures and when the city should help, it turned
its back on us and adopted greed. We all need better.
Sincerely,
Arika Stanio
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