HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-2015 Item 16 - RawsonFrom: Mark Rawson fmailto:MarkC&copelandproperties.com]
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2015 10:46 AM
To: E-mail Council Website
Cc: Bell, Kyle
Subject: Support Discovery SLO
September 14, 2015
City Council - City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: 1144 Chorro Street — Discovery San Luis Obispo Bowling
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
R C:l�I11ED
SEP 14 2015
C.TT 4LER,1C _
COUNCIL MEETING:
ITEM NO.:_L9 _ _
We would like to share with you some of the thoughts and background behind our current project
to bring Discovery SLO to the downtown in the existing vacant building located at 1144 Chorro
Street.
As you are well aware this property has been vacant for a considerable time. When the previous
tenant relocated to another location, we began the process of re -tenanting this location. As is
always the case in all of our projects, we look beyond just the act of filling a location with a new
tenant, and look at what type of use would best compliment the downtown as well as our other
projects and tenants. The tenant mix downtown benefits greatly from this careful consideration
of co -tenancy. We are fortunate to have a very unique mix of tenant's downtown including a
variety of excellent local independent retailers; by selecting tenant's that compliment each other,
we avoid needless repetition and continue to reinforce the vibrant, dynamic and economically
viable mix of tenant's we enjoy.
In the case of this property, it was a very deliberate decision to bring Discovery SLO to 1144
Chorro. Prior to entering into the approval process we looked carefully at their operations and
were extremely impressed with the format and the ability of this tenant to create and deliver a
first class facility that would provide a dynamic mix of uses.
Each of the different components that are part of Discovery's format is done par excellence.
The menu and food is top quality; this is no surprise given the proprietors' background began in
food, working up through the business with Cheescake Factory.
The bowling component is upscale, and beautifully highlighted in the facility, and is something
that is sorely missed in our community, since the closing of Laurel Lanes many years ago. This
in itself will be a county wide draw that will bring in all ages offering a setting for community
leagues, family fun, and Saturday morning outings with kids and parents, etc. - the list goes on
and on.
The ability to provide a multi -use setting for hosting events, including live music and shows, as
well as group gatherings, wedding banquets, receptions, and etc. is another benefit that will be a
great addition to downtown.
This project supports the growth of more `high tech' and head of household jobs in our
community. Many business owners we talk with, share with us the challenges they face in
recruiting the types of 20, 30, and 40 something's that work in those fields into our area. One of
the specific things that appeal to this type of professional today is an active and vibrant
downtown. This demographic is representative of many of the people that will live in and occupy
the residences downtown. They want a lively and dynamic downtown; where one can go out to
eat at night, where there are things to do in the non traditional business hours, and where they are
part of a downtown `urban lifestyle'.
We do not agree with the perception shared by a few members of our community that this is a
`large bar'. In fact this facility is much more than that. It offers a number of benefits to the
downtown not the least of which is an opportunity for food and dining that will be open during
later hours than can currently be found downtown. We have heard from many who have
expressed a desire for a place to go where one can get something to eat during the later hours of
the evening. This will be an improvement to the existing late night atmosphere downtown where
currently it is the sole domain of bars serving just alcohol. It goes without saying that food would
be a benefit to late night. For this reason we are hopeful that the Council will see the benefit in
allowing later operating hours for the business. This is not only an important consideration for
the economic viability for this business, but is equally important in improving the current
downtown from being just a late night bar district to a downtown where one can find late night
food and things to do to enjoy the downtown. This will bring people downtown that may not
otherwise have a reason to be downtown at night. And more people means more eyes on the
street, which in turn means a better safer downtown.
We thank you for your consideration and look forward to your support.
Mark Rawson, AIA
Copeland's Properties
Jamestown Premier SLO Retail, LP