HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/4/2025 Item 6a, Covey
Robin Covey <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:SLOMA proposed expansion project
Dear SLO City Council,
I am very excited about SLOMA’s proposed expansion project for the downtown core of San Luis
Obispo. My restaurants, Novo and Luna Red, mainstays in the downtown core for 24 and 14 years
respectively. The new proposed SLOMA will bring added vitality to the downtown core. As you well know,
downtown rents are VERY expensive and many businesses close. The SLOMA project will benefit most of the
downtown restaurants and shops.
This project would almost certainly be a huge shot in the arm for all of downtown purely on economics.
But I believe downtown’s vitality isn’t simply about dollars and cents. It’s about a welcoming vibe, about offering
experiences that nourish the soul and mind. It brings in another dimension than just eating, drinking and
shopping to downtown.
SLOMA’s project does it all. It will attract people who might not otherwise come downtown. It will give
tourists another reason to visit SLO and stay awhile. This project will bring beauty to behold, inspirational art
installations, smiles to peoples faces—-and something that compliments the downtown businesses.
I realize you have many competing requests for City support—but this project deserves unwavering
support from you. You will be generating a return on so many levels. Bolstering the surrounding businesses.
Enhancing the City’s (and County’s)cultural vitality. Creating something for the soul and mind of locals and
visitors.
Please seize this opportunity —-and commit to investing $2.5 million. I am positive it will be tax dollars
well spent.
Sincerely,
Robin Covey
owner Novo Restaurant (since 2002)
co-owner Luna Red Restaurant (since 2012)
City of SLO resident since 2002 and homeowner since 2011.
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