HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Quirk
From:Caitlin Quirk <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:1/7/2023 Council meeting: 6.a PARKING PROGRAM UPDATE AND AUTHORIZE
ADVERTISEMENT OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A PARKING RATE STUDY
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Hello,
I am requesting that the city council reevaluate the recent changes— reversing the hourly parking rate to $2/hr
during the weekdays, allowing 1st hour free for all people in all garages, and ending parking governance at
6pm on the weekdays.
The new parking changes are oppositional to the city's goal of promoting Diversity and Inclusion. The $4/hr
price tag seems to only welcome those of a certain income bracket into our downtown. It excludes those who
are not able to ride their bike or walk a long distance (new mothers, the elderly, the less physically abled, large
families). The message our city is sending is that it is not welcoming to all individuals, and instead is
elitist and out of touch.
I am the owner of Linnaea’s Cafe. Our cafe has been a downtown staple for 40 years with the express purpose
of providing a gathering space for a diverse group of locals and visitors. We firmly believe in creating “third-
places,”— spaces outside of the work and home where people spend their life. We believe it is important for
there to be community hubs in downtown areas. The new parking changes discourage people from spending
time in our space and in the entire neighborhood. We want people to linger and enjoy the beautiful area.
The exorbitant cost ($1 for every $15 minutes) from 9am-9pm with little relief in the parking garages has
persuaded our clientele to find other gathering spaces outside of downtown. If immediate action is not taken,
our business will not survive, and there will be even less reason to visit San Luis Obispo’s downtown. It’s
disturbing to me that City Council seems to find our small businesses replaceable. There are more
vacant storefronts than ever, and less are being occupied by small businesses. Only big box stores can hope
to survive.
Rusty Quirk
864.363.7191
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