HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Barros
From:Randi Barros <randibarros@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, November 7, 2023 1:57 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:downtown parking rates must change
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Hello,
The increases in parking fees in downtown SLO have had disastrous effects on downtown businesses,
many of which are still struggling after COVID. It isn't only the loss of the free hour in the city parking
lots. It's also having to pay for parking until 9 p.m., paid parking on Sundays, and nearly double the cost
to park at all. I can't tell you how many people have told me they never shop downtown anymore because
of this. Friends who want to meet for a meal regularly ask if we can go someplace with free parking. Look
at all the empty storefronts downtown. When anchor businesses like Big Sky close, you know there is a
problem.
In comparison, Paso Robles provides the first two hours of parking for free (with the parking kiosks) and
when I was there a couple weeks ago, the businesses were thriving in comparison to SLO. Even in Los
Angeles, parking is free on Sundays.
The sign of great leaders is that they're able to admit to mistakes and then move on to correct them.
When I lived in New York City and Mike Bloomberg was mayor, he got rid of the recycling program (he
said it was losing money). It was a huge mistake, and he not only later admitted that, but instituted the
best recycling program the city had ever had.
It seems like the council is going to restore the free hour of parking in the lots. That's great, but it's not
enough. Please, at the very least, stop the meters at 6 pm and allow for free parking on Sundays.
Thank you for your time.
Best.
Randi Barros
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randi barros | www.randibarros.com
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