HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/2019 Item Public Comment, Christy
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Dave Christy <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Letter of support for SLO REP Theater proposal
October 12, 2019
Planning Commission
City of San Luis Obispo, California
Dear Chair Mike Wulkan and Planning Commissioners Dandekar, Jorgensen, Kahn, McKenzie, Quincey,
and Stevenson:
I support the development of a new San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre as part of the city’s
proposed development of property adjacent to the intersection of Palm and Nipomo Streets. The SLO
REP is an important community asset. This proposal sites a modern facility in a downtown location
adjacent to proposed parking and near the Children’s Museum, Art Museum, and County Historical
Museum. This is an outstanding and unique opportunity.
Although I had a fairly good education through graduate school, I am a product of the ‘Sputnik’ era
where our schools and society understandably placed a premium on science and mathematics education,
in my own case at the expense of arts education. For the past six years I located out of our area for
employment in New York City, and after a slow start, realized that I wanted to invest my time and money
to experience the theatre, music, and visual arts about which I had limited knowledge. This personal
investment is the reason I am motivated to write this letter. I would hope that young people growing up
in our community would have experiences in theatre as a readily accessible part of their education.
The SLO REP is a community asset that can provide those kinds of opportunities. It is also an
organization that is committed to improving. After over seven decades of operation, it has re-branded,
focused on developing an enhanced base of donors, and improved the artistic quality of performances.
I hope that you agree that the SLO REP has earned your support and the support of the San Luis
Obispo Community as a distinctive and valuable cultural institution. I urge you to approve the new SLO
REP Theatre.
Sincerely,
Dave Christy
2582 Flora Street
San Luis Obispo
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