HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/19/2026 Item 5g, Ashbaugh
John Ashbaugh <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Hill, Robert; Hermann, Greg; McDonald, Whitney
Subject:975 Broad Street
Dear Mayor Stewart and Councilmembers,
I support the recommendation from staff on tonight’s Agenda item 5g, to acquire 975 Broad Street for
future use by the City.
This site represents a key property in implementing many key objectives held by the City. Its acquisition
enables the City to establish a process for potential expansion of the History Center, in partnership with
the leadership of that organization as well as other parties with an interest in the City’s Cultural Arts
District.
The recent opening of the City’s newest parking garage on this block makes it possible for the City to
release the existing metered parking lot that adjoins both the History Center AND 975 Broad Street.
Accordingly, both properties could be included with the History Center as part of a comprehensive
planning and design process involving all three properties. In my view, this combination makes it
possible to consider many design options that will move us forward in future planning for the History
Center.
The house that occupies this site was identified in the 1984 Historical Resources survey as a
“Contributing” property - now a “Local Historical Resource” - but its outward appearance reveals no
character-defining features in the facade that would justify continuation of this classification.
In spite of its apparent lack of historical significance, it is highly likely that this site contains
archaeological resources of importance to the yak tit ʸ u tit ʸ u yak tiłhini (ytt) Northern Chumash. The City
should complete an archaeological survey of this property prior to any action that would disturb
subsurface features on the site. About 8 years ago, when I was President of the History Center, I walked
that property with Mona Tucker, Tribal Chair of the ytt organization, along with an archaeologist from the
Bay Area. Within a short walk around the History Center building, these experts were able to identify
clear evidence of occupation of this property by Native Americans prior to the Mission Era. (That should
be no surprise to anyone with a knowledge of the prehistory of our region).
That said, I am in full support of the plan to acquire this property. I hope that this will provide the impetus
for the City, the History Center, the ytt Northern Chumash, Mission San Luis Obispo, and other interested
parties to launch a process that would yield the best results for the most parties as the City moves
forward with planning for its future use.
Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
John B. Ashbaugh
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805/550-7713
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