HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Olsen
Stephanie Olsen <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:SLO Downtown Parking
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Hello Council Members and City Management Staff,
I wasn't able to make the council meeting yesterday evening, but I did want to send an email expressing my concern
about the new prices to park in downtown SLO. I was taken aback the other week when I was charged $5 for one hour of
downtown parking. I was headed into a yoga class at The Center and needed to park somewhat nearby and also realized
there were more meters that extend further out from downtown than before.
I go to yoga class 3 times a week, which means this is at least $15 extra per week, and a total of $60 per month just to
attend class that I already pay for. The parking alone is over half of what I pay for my monthly membership. Sometimes I
need to add on additional time to my meter if I want to stop at a store or spend money at the farmer's market on
Thursday.
I feel like I am an active member of the community and should not have to pay upwards of $60 per month just to
support local businesses by spending money at their establishments. The prices before were reasonable and I now I am
actively avoiding going downtown due to the added parking fees.
I'm looking into other yoga studios that don't require me to pay a parking fee and I know I am not the only one. This is
going to negatively impact the yoga studio, which I love, as well as the other small downtown businesses who are
already struggling to make it.
I've been to a lot of major cities and these prices are amongst the highest I've seen per hour. I really would like to keep
my current yoga membership and continue to enjoy the coffee shops and boutiques downtown on a regular basis so I
am requesting that you please lower the parking rates. I felt they were reasonable and fair at the price they were at
before the increase.
I sincerely hope you take my request seriously as I know that I speak for many other people who feel similarly.
Thank you.
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