HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/17/2018 Item 3, Simkins
Purrington, Teresa
From:Michael Simkins <mbsimkins@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 17, 2018 12:12 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Palm Nipomo Parking Structure Project
Dear Mayor Harmon and Council,
I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre to express our full support for the
Palm Nipomo Parking Structure Project.
First as San Luis Obispo Little Theatre and, more recently, San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, our organization has
consistently offered live theatre performances in the city since 1947. Our relationship with the City dates back to 1992
when the City offered us the use of the former city library as a semi-permanent production space. It has served us well
for many years, but we have always known that eventually, the City wished to reclaim the space for other city
purposes. In addition, as the quality of our productions have reached a professional level—and participation in our
youth theatre programs has increased—we have literally outgrown the space. For these reasons, we are thrilled with the
prospect of building a permanent, purpose-built home for the theatre as part of the Palm Nipomo Parking Structure
Project. We feel very fortunate that the City has offered us this fantastic opportunity.
The new theatre—providing two performances spaces and more than double the seating of our current space—
combined with the sorely needed additional parking, will be a major economic driver for the City. Our productions
already draw audience from all parts of the county. Besides purchasing tickets theatre goers are patrons of restaurants,
retails shops, and other downtown businesses before and after performances. With the now professional level of our
productions, offered in a beautiful, state-of-the-art, yet still intimate space, we expect the theatre to draw audience
from well beyond our immediate area, which can only help improve the City’s financial health.
Live theatre in the Mission Plaza arts and culture district will make a great contribution to an exciting and enriching
downtown experience for residents and visitors alike!
Yours sincerely,
Michael Simkins
President, Board of Directors
SAN LUIS OBISPO REPERTORY THEATRE
Office: (805) 624-5792
www.slorep.org
MISSION: To present professional theatrical productions for the entertainment and enrichment of the public, and to
provide theatre education opportunities for children and adults.
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OUR BELIEF: We believe live theatre provides unique and powerful storytelling, blending multiple art forms and
connecting communities through the shared emotional journey at each performance.
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