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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPowerPoint Presentationpptx State of Downtown Downtown Vitality Major City Goal Update Derek Johnson, City Manager 2019 Thank you for joining us for the State of Downtown Breakfast today. We are going to take a look at the Major City Goal of Downtown Vitality and what to expect from the City in 2019-21. 1 “A city is more than a place in space, it is a drama in time.” Patrick Geddes Circa1886 2 Cities change and evolve... Circa 1950’s 3 And can improve over time… Circa 1960’s 4 For the better! Current view of downtown. 5 City Goal Statement Support the economic and cultural heart of the City with attention to safety, maintenance, infrastructure, and amenities. “ ” Elevated in this Financial Plan to a Major City Goal. The goal statement reads: “Support the economic and cultural heart of the City with attention to safety, maintenance, infrastructure, and amenities.” The Downtown work plan includes strategic economic development initiatives that support a beautiful, vibrant downtown. More than $40 million is dedicated to this Major City Goal for 2019-20. 6 Safety Downtown Team – 1 Sergeant, 4 Bike Officers, 1 Field Service Technician Community Action Team – 2 Officers, 1 Social Worker Security Camera Installation in Mission Plaza, Meadow and Mitchell Parks Downtown Security Project Direct Giving Meter Program Clean & Safe Pilot Program – Additional Ambassador In addition to an economically vibrant downtown, we are also focused on making Downtown a safe place for those who work, visit, and live in the area. RESCOURCE INVESTMENT: over $1 million Downtown Team includes the addition of Sergeant Kevin Philips and Field Service Technician Angela Sandoval. SLOPD is fully staffed and the downtown bike patrol program (Joe Hurni, Blake Etherton, Sean Jessen and Marcelo Magana) has returned with four bicycle officers who you’ve probably seen patrolling the downtown core. We also are proud to have two “Community Action Team” or “CAT” members – Officers Tim Koznek and Josh Bywater who will start in November. In 2018 social worker John Klevins joined SLOPD through a partnership with the County and Transitions-Mental Health Association to focus on outreach, connecting homeless individuals with resources. Last year the CAT engaged with more than 300 individuals and more than 50 were treated for mental health, substance abuse or other issues. To increase security, additional security cameras are going to be installed in Mission Plaza. And early next year, installation on the Downtown Security Project for large events will begin. Partnering with DSLO for a pilot, matching grant program for an additional Downtown ambassador 7 Addressing Homelessness Many City departments work on numerous aspects of addressing the issue of homelessness through emergency medical services, police enforcement, public health and safety clean-up efforts. Being homeless is not a crime, nor is using a public space. In 2019-20, SLOPD’s budget for downtown/homeless outreach is $892,000. Last year, of the nearly 5,000 calls for services in the downtown, 32% were related to homeless individuals. The fire department responded to 30 encampment fires and more than 500 medical calls. Public Works and rangers’ services. The City continuously works with the County and various organizations such as Community Action Partnership and Transitions-Mental Health to provide assistance to unhoused people. In partnership with Downtown SLO the City is refreshing the Direct Giving Meter Program. 8 Maintenance Sidewalk Cleaning Tree, Tree Grate, Tile, Sidewalk and Planter Repair & Replacement Recycling & Compost Program for Large Events at Mission Plaza & in Downtown Reduction of White Fly and Pigeon Populations SLO County Creek to Coast Cleanup City has a baseline services agreement with Downtown SLO, includes: 2x/week sidewalk cleaning for Bubblegum Alley 2x/year sidewalk scrubbing over the course of six weeks (increasing that to 4x with new pilot program) Sustainable practices continue to be a value of the City and work is continuing on developing a robust recycling and compost program for larger events. To address the fly and pigeon issues, tree pruning, non-stinging wasps, beetles and bird reproduction control are some of the measures being taken. Creek to Coast Cleanup was a successful event on last month, with 35 volunteers organized to help clean San Luis Creek in Downtown. 9 Ongoing Care and Cleanliness This summer, trees were pruned and more trees are scheduled for planting. The City spends $40,000 a year on tree pruning and works with volunteers “Downtown Foresters”. Tree grates and sidewalk repair are budgeted for $25,000 in the downtown this fiscal year. Out of 1,000+ tiles in need of repair the first 100 were identified in Mission Plaza; planter work recently occurred in Mission Plaza (? – confirm with Matt closer to the 15th). 10 Infrastructure Pickup and Dropoff Zones for Ridesharing Shared Bicycle Program Begin Construction on the Palm/Nipomo Parking Structure Complete the Design of Cheng Park Our rideshare loading zones program kicked off October 1. The zone includes all spaces on both sides of Higuera (between Garden and Broad Streets); as well as the commercial loading zone on Chorro Street (in front of Luna Red). The zones will be enforced from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., with a 5-minute loading limit. The pilot program will be tested for one year. Staff is also working on recommendations for a bikeshare program and will report to City Council next year. We’re working on plans to being construction on the Palm/Nipomo parking structure in late 2020. Cheng Park rehabilitation is planned for 2020-21 following the replacement of the Marsh St. Bridge. 11 Downtown Improvements Other recent downtown improvements include the Garden Street project that revitalized the portion of the street between Marsh and Higuera with improved, larger sidewalks, updated parking spaces. Next year, the Downtown Safety Project will be installed to increase safety at large events such as Farmers’ Market. 12 Rediscovering Downtown This summer, we partnered with Downtown SLO to send this postcard to everyone living within one mile of the downtown core, encouraging them to rediscover the downtown. 13 Parking Availability Total # of Parking Spaces = 2,869 There are more than 2,800 parking spaces available in downtown. We’re improving transportation and parking efficiencies, and are using a License Plate Recognition Program for parking enforcement, and installed new electric vehicle charging stations in the Marsh Street structure. 14 Parking Structure Usage The parking structures have the most available spaces and are often *not* filled to capacity. 842 Palm is typically 52% full Marsh Structure runs at 65% capacity 919 Palm has a daily occupancy average of 84% The first hour is also free to people who use the structure. 15 Providing More Alternatives For those who work in downtown, there numerous programs available to help with transportation. <READ PROGRAMS ON SLIDE> 16 Amenities Update Downtown Tile Maps Additional Public Art and Placemaking Banner and Lighting Programs Mission Plaza and Downtown Concept Plans Support Existing and New Hotels Tile maps were updated at Monterey/Chorro, Higuera/Broad and Marsh/Chorro. Promotional Coordinating Committee is working with our Parks & Recreation department to identify opportunities for public art and activation of public or vacant spaces. Banner program will be expanded with the design and installation of more banners, including a set of holiday cultural celebration designs. We are continuing to implement of our concept plans for Downtown and Mission Plaza. TBID continues to promote SLO’s downtown hotels including the opening of Hotel SLO and Hotel Cerro. 17 Inform and Inspire leit·mo·tif/ˈlītmōˌtēf/ noun a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation. Installation of new banners and more to come for the holidays (“cultural celebrations around the world”) and 2020. Tile map refresh is complete. Parking structure kiosks have been beautifully wrapped with art mirroring the banner designs. 18 City Vacancy Rates Lowest Vacancy Rate We are continuously looking other communities and trends in business. A recent Kosmont study on Santa Barbara showed retail vacancy rate at 10.3% compared to SLO’s 1.0%). San Luis Obispo has the lowest vacancy rate of comparable cities. The asking rent per square footage per month was $3.32 in Santa Barbara, compared to $2.72 in SLO). Property and Sales Tax increases. 19 Economic Development Ongoing Business Support Leverage Partnerships with Downtown SLO, SLO Chamber of Commerce and SLO HotHouse on Economic Development Initiatives Shop Local Program Update to the Economic Development Strategic Plan Business support in the form of licensing and permitting issues, available locations, license and tax compliance, updates on construction occurring downtown, problem solving. Interface regularly with business-oriented organizations to inform, craft policy and provide services to upcoming and existing businesses. Shop Local program refresh to occur as well as an update to the EDSP. 20 Sales Tax Revenue & Property Assessment Value $2.1 million Annual Sales Tax 6% 5-Year Increase $110 million in New Valuation 32% 5-Year Increase 21 What’s the State of Our Downtown? Significant City Investments Focused on the Downtown Expansion of Existing Programs Opportunities for a Healthy Future Low Vacancy Rate High Demand Private Sector Investment Strong Partnership with Downtown SLO To wrap up… We’re making significant City investments focused on the Downtown – and $40 million is dedicated over two years to this Major City Goal. We’re supporting expansion of existing programs such as the Safe & Clean program; seeing continued growth at the Hot House and continuing to develop banner and public art programs. We’re creating opportunities for a healthy future. The City has a strong partnership with Downtown SLO. We have low vacancy rates with high demand and encourage private sector investment. 22 Downtown Vitality Good things are happening in Downtown SLO! Close with statements complimenting the opening – downtown is always changing and is a community effort. 23