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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/4/2024 Item 6a, Harris, L. LeBren Harris < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:6/4/24 City Council Meeting: Public Comment Items not on Agena Attachments:DSLO Letter to Council-SLO Rep.pdf This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Dear City Council, My name is LeBren Harris and I'm representing Downtown SLO. Please see the letter attached for your review. LeBren Harris (She/Her) To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office Chief Executive Officer, Downtown SLO prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. 805-234-9677 |DowntownSLO.com |LeBren@DowntownSLO.com 1135 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo CA 93401 1 Dear City Council, Downtown SLO writes in support of the Council’s long-term vision for strengthening the downtown as expressed in its Downtown Concept Plan,and in particular its joint venture with SLO Repertory Theatre to build a new theater adjacent to the Cultural Arts District Parking Structure. Among our organization’s values is the belief that a thriving economy depends on authentic connection through a variety of experiences –shopping,dining,and being together at cultural events.Downtowns that house cultural institutions like theaters,museums,concert halls,and art galleries have more cohesive identities and invoke more community pride in local residents. Furthermore,they attract cultural tourists,who stay longer and spend more money than other types of travelers.The City recognizes this and has invested in performing arts institutions over the years. SLO REP’s new theater,in addition to the new parking structure,will help catalyze the western edge of downtown,making possible additional residential and business expansion. SLO REP’s ability to raise $10 million so far from private donors is impressive,and its commitment to raise several million more to complete the project is equally impressive. SLO REP’s ability to draw 50,000 patrons annually to downtown makes the new theater project all the more worthwhile as it will add economic impact as well as intangible cultural benefit to the downtown scene,thus enhancing downtown’s vitality and long- term ability to remain a central attraction for the entire region. The expansion and enhancement of cultural experiences is all the more vital if downtown is to remain the vibrant center of the city’s cultural life.Investing in projects that reinforce this vision of downtown’s centrality is consistent with the current Major City Goals and the Downtown Concept Plan and is deeply rooted in the City’s history and the community’s values.SLO REP’s programming in a new,state-of-the-art theatre would provide a major step forward for our Downtown Cultural District,and we encourage you to support SLO REP’s request for a challenge grant. Downtown SLO thanks the City Council for your continued support of SLO REP’s efforts to complete the new theater. Thank-you, LeBren Harris CEO,Downtown SLO The mission of Downtown SLO is to foster an economically vibrant downtown.We help people and business grow and thrive;We foster a feeling of belonging;We create community;We like to bring people together;We celebrate diversity;We practice optimism; We are resilient;We actively promote a walkable,bike-able,accessible community;We cultivate sustainability;We value the outdoors and respect our natural environment;We believe that a thriving economy depends on authentic connection. The mission of Downtown SLO is to foster an economically vibrant downtown.We help people and business grow and thrive;We foster a feeling of belonging;We create community;We like to bring people together;We celebrate diversity;We practice optimism; We are resilient;We actively promote a walkable,bike-able,accessible community;We cultivate sustainability;We value the outdoors and respect our natural environment;We believe that a thriving economy depends on authentic connection.