HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Figueroa
David Figueroa <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 6a and more frequent transit
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Dear City Council,
Just wanted to communicate a few thoughts regarding the current parking discussion based on what I've heard,
understanding that the issue is deeper:
there were clear reasons and goals re why the downtown parking fees were raised in July - only a few months
ago.
some criticism should have been expected understanding how many people view private car parking.
very little time has passed, so analyzing data or patterns related to the increased fees must be challenging at
best.
trends in business openings, closings and sales performance are based on many factors and available parking is
only one of them. Also, individual business performance should be weighed against overall downtown business
performance during a period of analysis, so a single or even a couple of business trending poorly may not reflect
overall local business performance.
business owners should be mainly concerned with footfall or number of visits, not with parking fees.
With these points in mind, I don't think it's a good or wise decision to return to the pre-July parking fee structure right
now. If there is consensus that a better job could have been done to analyze impacts, or alternatives, then this can be
prioritized while continuing the post-July fees. Or, perhaps during the study period (say less than a year), the free first-
hour is reinstated, the other fees remaining.
Related to the last of the points above, I believe higher frequency transit services can help many people choose the bus
instead of the car to get to downtown. Local business owners mainly want customers, not that their customers need to
use cars to get around. This needs some study, as well, regarding best times of day for higher bus frequencies, possibly
who needs this improved access most and, of course, costs related to improved services.
SLO has adopted targets of 12% transit trips, 20% bike trips and 18% walking, carpool and other trips by 2035. We know
it will be challenging to achieve these goals, but we must move forward and not back.
Kind regards,
David Figueroa
San Luis Obispo resident and Mass Transportation Committee member (Vice-Chair)
David Figueroa
Partner | Projects Director
DCR Design
www.dcrdesign.net
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david@dcrdesign.net
+1 909.771.8772
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