HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/2019 Item 2, Regier
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Ron Regier <rsregier@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Please approve SLO Rep Theatre project
To the members of the City of San Luis Obispo Planning Commission:
Since I’m not acquainted with all Commission members, please allow me a brief introduction. I spent the majority of my
career at Cal Poly as Director of Cal Poly Arts and, for its first 20 years, as Managing Director of the PAC. In service to
our city and community I’ve served on SLO’s Architectural Review Commission (‘93-98), the Parks & Rec Commission
(’07-15), Rotary de Tolosa for 32 years and was a Founder of the SLO Youth Sports Association. I appreciate the
opportunity to contribute to the conversation about plan to build a new theatre in the beloved historic San Luis Obispo
downtown.
I have always believed that the city’s long-term plan to establish an Arts & Culture corridor in the downtown is wise and
far-sighted. The proposed, new theatre and adjacent cultural facilities will attract and keep visitors in our downtown and
serve as an active city center resource for our own citizens. Expanded programming at SLO Rep will attract larger
numbers of people, creating a greater economic driver and a boost for commercial businesses in the downtown, including
restaurants and hotels. The placement of the SLO Rep theatre building and the parking structure as the southern anchor of
this Arts & Culture corridor makes good sense. The architects employed by the city and SLO Rep have created a design
that’s functional, effective and attractive. I’m very pleased with how the front of the theatre addresses Monterey Street; at
how there is open space and that the entry with glass is a friendly approach to the street, inviting people in.
Having spent my entire career in the performing arts, I can understand how excited SLO Rep’s artists, volunteers, donors
and supporters are with the prospect of developing and operating a live theatre in this cherished location, long designated
by the city for use by our local theatre group. I believe that approval by the Planning Commission and ultimately the City
Council will fulfill a long-held community dream and have a positive impact on our city’s core. I encourage you to
approve this project for consideration by the SLO City Council.
While I recently moved to Trilogy in Nipomo, I lived almost 32 years in the City of San Luis Obispo, plus my family has
deep roots in SLO going back to the late 1940s. I think San Luis Obispo residents will be pleased with and proud to have
this new addition in its downtown. Thank you for giving consideration to my comments.
Respectfully, Ron Regier
1168 Spring Azure Way
Nipomo, CA
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