HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Cook, K.
PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Parking Agenda
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Dear City Council,
I would like to express my concern over the current parking agenda and the nega?ve impact it will have on the San Luis
business community.
I have owned a small business right on the outside of the downtown core for thirty years. I have walked downtown daily
for most of those thirty years. I have never been more alarmed for the future of our downtown. There are many reasons
for this homelessness, cleanliness, safety, but the main reason is the health of our downtown business community.
We all see the vacant storefronts. We all know that even just to afford rent in San Luis Obispo is a challenge for any
business in and of itself. Add infla?on and rising wages at a pace of 37% year over year, and this could spell disaster for
any business. Put this on the back of a pandemic were many of these businesses were asked to sacrifice for the health of
their community, all the while compe?ng with the convenience of online shopping. Furthermore, they have had to deal
with repeated disrup?on of the many construc?on projects downtown. This is why I believe the current parking agenda
is short sighted and will have a very nega?ve impact on our downtown business community.
I would ask the city council and staff what programs are in place to increase the patronage and foot traffic of our
downtown. This is what will decide if businesses stay and thrive or leave downtown.
On a recent day trip to Carlsbad California, we strolled around downtown on a Saturday we had brunch, shopped in a
vibrant downtown, and parked for free in a parking lot at the edge of downtown. The shops, restaurants, art galleries,
and coffee shops were thriving.
San Luis is a beau?ful place, but just being in downtown San Luis is not enough for a business to survive. They need a
business-friendly community. As our businesses survive and thrive so too will the city. Please reassess the current
parking plan, thank you for your ?me.
Thank you,
Kim Cook
San Luis Auto Parts
380 Marsh Street
San Luis Obipso, CA 93401
Phone (805) 543-7287
Fax (805) 543-7678
sloauto@mypowerpipe.com
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