HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Vaskov
From:Bailey Vaskov <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Recent Parking Changes
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Recently, I have become interested in the history behind our building on Higuera Street. The oldest business
that can be traced back through photos, which stood where we do today, was called “The Whistler Bar” back in
1908. Since then, just like many downtown, that building would house other small businesses. Businesses with
owners who wanted to share their dreams with this community, and make downtown SLO special. Places
where you could make memories with your families. The place where you couldn’t wait to run and tell your
favorite clerk that your daughter got engaged last week, and the first place you felt safe going after the loss of
a family member. A downtown where locals thrived and tourists were welcomed. Hands Gallery has been the
residing business in that building for 33 years now and there will come a day where a new one will stand in its
place. It’s this issue of parking that will determine whether it’s one that keeps our downtown special or one that
makes it look like every other outdoor mall in this country. Because it's not just the price, the kiosks, or the
inconvenience of parking that has left these business owners with no other choice but to fight, It’s the fact that
all of these issues combined have led to an unwelcoming experience downtown. Therefore leading to the
absence of our local customers. We are fighting for them, because without our local’s support there’s no us,
and without us there’s no reason to stop by downtown SLO on the drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
My hope is that we can reverse this damage that has been done to our downtown’s reputation so that we can
keep SLO special for not only us to enjoy, but for the others who come after. Thank you.
-Bailey Vaskov, Hands Gallery Manager
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