HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/14/2024 Item 4a, Svennungsen
Melody Svennungsen <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Parking rate options--please read immediately, thanks!
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Dear Mayor Erica Stewart and council members,
I am one of many local constituents who rarely visits downtown SLO anymore because parking prices are quite
prohibitive. You all have seen the result of the rise in fees including closures of businesses and less local support for
our remaining downtown merchants. I was raised here in SLO and while attending SLO High in the "60s & '70s, I
vividly recall the vibrancy and busy-ness of downtown! I also remember when the heart of town died because of the
new mall and theatres on Madonna road . . . that area became the destination for shopping and hanging out! Then
SLO began spiffing up the Mission Plaza and other common areas and attracting businesses that revived our
beautiful little town.
High-priced parking may be in order for some larger towns, but it is out of place and detrimental here. We need to
maintain a good flow of locals AND tourists in order to support our downtown merchants and keep our town vital.
Thank you for considering reducing the current rates for parking in and around downtown. Of the three options
presented to you by Dixon Consulting, I am in favor of option "B," which appears to benefit shop owners and
consumers alike.
Please keep listening to the people of SLO. We love our town – its historical and cultural value is quite amazing. Bring
back reasonable parking fees and make downtown accessible for all again!
Thank you,
Melody Svennungsen
805.550.3753
Artistic Director, Central Coast Youth Chorus
centralcoastyouthchorus.org
Artistic Director, SLO Vocal Arts Ensemble
vocalarts.org
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