HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/16/2019 Item 15, Arnold
Christian, Kevin
From:Pat Arnold <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Yes on PBID Formation for Downtown SLO
July 8, 2019
Hello Madame Mayor and Council Members,
As a downtown business and property owner in San Luis Obispo as well as the current Board President of
Downtown SLO, I am encouraging you to support the formation of a Property-Based Business Improvement
District (PBID). Downtown SLO has been working on this effort for almost two years and feel it is necessary for
our downtown.
If passed by a majority vote of the 125+ downtown property owners in the district, it would generate $400,000
annually. These funds would be spent on downtown beautification that would include sidewalk repair, better
landscaping, additional lighting, inclusion of public art; safety and crime prevention measures;
homelessness outreach services through our Ambassador Program; and enhanced maintenance like sidewalk
cleaning, graffiti removal and more regular trash removal. Ambassadors in the downtown district will work 7
days a week to clean and welcome people to downtown.
Right now, city taxpayers pay for our current level of service; a PBID paid by property owners will be in addition
to that investment in our downtown. It is true that if this assessment passes, property owners will pay more
annual property tax, but by spending a little today we can improve all of our property's long-term values. PBIDs
have been successfully adopted in more than 100 cities in California with large and small towns seeing the
benefit of that investment. At a time when small downtowns across America are struggling to keep local
businesses thriving and remain relevant for residents and visitors, this is the right time to invest in a PBID. That
is why many local organizations like the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Visit SLOCAL, and I support
the formation.
Furthermore, if the PBID is passed, a board of directors composed of primarily property owners will be formed
who will have the decision-making power as to how the funds are spent. And if they are not pleased with the
results, they can change their minds in the future. The PBID has a five-year initial term which automatically
sunsets so everybody will be watching for the PBID to follow through on its promises.
We are charged with stewarding our downtown's evolution and we believe it does keep getting better, but it
faces many challenges. We strongly believe that this type of investment will help us maintain a world-class
downtown long into the future and invite you to support this effort. Downtown San Luis Obispo is the jewel of
our region; we deserve to have streets that are clean and safe for our residents and visitors.
Thank you for your time,
Pat Arnold
Pat Arnold
Covelop, Inc.
CA DRE #01913543
CSLB License #995386
Bus 805.781.3133 x103
Fax 805.781.3233
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Cell 805.441.0706
parnold@covelop.net
www.covelop.net
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