HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Mullen
Laura Mullen <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Parking discussion, November 7 agenda item
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Dear Mayor Stewart, Vice Mayor Marx, and Council Members Shoresman, Pease, and Francis,
As a 30-year resident who is on the Board of HumanKind Fair Trade on Monterey Street and
active on the the Parking and Transportation committee for Downtown SLO, I'm in a
conundrum. While fully supportive of the prompt construction of the Cultural
Arts parking structure, the recent downtown parking parking-related changes and rate
increases that are said to be the only way to fund such a structure are concerning.
In your deliberations on this issue and as part of a probably parking study, could you please
take into consideration:
Reinstating the hour free in the structures. Our city is now way out of line with other
like size cities and even larger jurisdictions, and the rate increases are driving our local
customers to seek other avenues for entertainment, shopping and dining. Chatter
about parking has always been a subject of discussion, but it is now a ROAR.
Simplify the parking payment process. There are too many payment options, and the
gateless Palm Street structure is entirely too confusing for most people. It also requires
an upfront payment which is directly contradicts why many of us park in the
structures...we enjoy the freedom of not being tied to the "meter." While tiered pricing
is often mentioned as a parking solution, that also seems wrought with complexity that
could prove detrimental.
Consider a special daily rate for employees working downtown, and/or other
incentives. While it is admirable that the daily rate in the structures didn't increase,
soomething must still be done for downtown employees. Most DT businesses do not
have the capability to provide parking funding for their employees. It is coming out of
the pocket of the people who can least afford to pay the extra. Hiring is a hurdle for
every business now and the rate increase is just another hoop to jump through in an
effort to attract staff. Surely there are more innovative and creative options to be
explored.
I do want to give you kudos for continuing the free parking in the garages over the Thanksgiving
weekend, and during Sundays in December and over Christmas Eve/Christmas. That is
definitely something to look forward to and to promote with our customers. An exploration of
a Sunday free park day for the remainder of the year might be part of the equation as well.
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While the Cultural Arts parking structure is important to the growth and vitality of downtown,
we need to balance other factors as well. In fact, many downtown merchants were starting to
see a slowdown before the most recent parking changes this summer. Downtown San Luis
Obispo is a special place and we need to continue to make it a place where everyone...locals
included... feels welcome and wants to make the effort to frequent.
Thanks for your continued interest in keeping Downtown vital and viable.
Laura B Mullen
President, Board of Directors
HumanKind Fair Trade
805-801-2214
HumanKind Fair Trade
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