HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2019 Item 10, Swigger
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Bettina Swigger <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Support for SLO Repertory Theatre and Palm/Nipomo Parking
Structure
Dear Council,
On behalf of the board of directors of Downtown SLO, it is my pleasure to provide this letter of support for
the much-needed Palm/Nipomo Parking Structure and adjacent SLO Repertory Theatre building. We
encourage you to support both of these projects. As downtown continues to evolve, we look forward to
welcoming these exciting new developments to our community. With the recent revitalization of the
Creamery, the nearby successful Children’s Museum and the Mission Plaza Concept Plan on the horizon,
these facilities will serve as anchors for a burgeoning cultural district.
For many years we have seen these two projects rise through various stages of development through our
Parking and Access Committee and Cultural Arts Committee. We are engaged in daily conversations about
the need for expanded parking so that visitors to our downtown can shop in our shops, dine in our
restaurants, and work in our businesses. We appreciate the thought and care that has been given
to developing the parking structure to be of service to the people who will need to store their cars there, and
also to the ways in which a mixed-use building can add to the fabric of a downtown.
The SLO Repertory Theatre has been a valuable cultural institution for many decades, and with this new
building, it is positioned to grow this success. There are many reasons to support arts and cultural
institutions; not only do they support community well-being and promote civic engagement, the arts are also
critical to a strong economy, creating jobs, expanding cultural tourism, and inviting ancillary spending in
nearby restaurants, shops, and hotels. Furthermore, theatre brings history to life, helps
us understand different perspectives, and builds awareness about different cultures, social issues, and our
human stories.
With Downtown Vitality as a Major City Goal for this two-year budget cycle, the timing is right to embrace
and move forward with this Public/Private Partnership. Thank you for your investment in downtown and for
setting the stage for an accessible and arts-filled Downtown San Luis Obispo.
Sincerely,
Bettina Swigger
Chief Executive Officer
Downtown SLO
bettina@downtownslo.com
(805)234-9677
DowntownSLO.com
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