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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/16/2019 Item 13, Swigger From:Bettina Swigger < To:E-mail Council Website Subject:4/16 Comments on the Item 13 from Downtown SLO Esteemed Council Members, I am writing today on behalf of Downtown SLO, the City’s collaborative partner nonprofit agency for economic vitality in our downtown. On behalf of the hundreds of businesses downtown, I thank you for elevating Downtown Vitality to a major city goal for this upcoming budget cycle. Every day in downtown we see the continual care the City provides for our community, and I would like to give special thanks for City Staff in the Economic Development department, specifically Charlene Rosales and Deputy City Manager Greg Hermann. Our staff worked closely with them to identify programs within the workplan so that we can maximize the city’s investment in order to keep downtown diverse, thriving, and welcoming. We are just one of many organizations that must work together to achieve these goals, and as we are poised to welcome hundreds of new pedestrian visitors to downtown with the new hotels opening, it is especially important that you are investing in safety, maintenance and infrastructure. Downtown SLO is in support of the Workplan as presented in the agenda packet this evening, and our board of directors, members, and staff are committed to working with the City to accomplish the goals set in this budget. We are particularly excited about the prospects of moving forward with new access to downtown through a parking education program and through the development of a new parking structure. We are in favor of the enhanced safety efforts, including having a fully-staffed bike patrol and a community action team with a social worker embedded, as we know that these are necessary to provide a safe environment for people to do business and to gather. We’re also eager to be involved in the conversation about how to implement a responsible Mission Plaza concept plan, as well as the Downtown Concept Plan overall. We have that plan on display in our window at our office at 1135 Chorro Street, and we get to see people stop and look at it every day. There’s great stuff in there, though some of it needs refinement. In addition to Item 13 in your agenda, I’d also like to voice support for item 8 to streamline the public art process. Public art does so much to enliven our public spaces, and we are in favor of the plans Shelley Stanwyck and Lindsey Stephenson propose, particularly the plan to put a mural in one of the parking structures. On another note, I’d like to compliment the Public Works department for the work they are currently doing to improve the sidewalks downtown, and I’d also like to give a special shout out to Ron Combs and the Urban Forestry Division for their recent work trimming the trees downtown. They did a great job with minimal disruption and excellent communication with the businesses that were affected. Downtown is brighter, just in time for the longer days of spring, so thank you for that. We know that there are many aspects to the city beyond downtown, and we thank you for recognizing downtown as the hub and the heart for economic vitality, creativity, innovation and connecting with one another. Thank you for your service and your leadership. Bettina Swigger Chief Executive Officer Downtown SLO bettina@downtownslo.com (805)234-9677 DowntownSLO.com 1 2