HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/23/2019 Item 3, Fourie
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Purrington, Teresa
Sent: 23, 2019 8:28 AM
To:Wilbanks, Megan
Subject:FW: Heyd Adobe and possible new parking structure
For CHC
From: denise fourie <
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2019 5:52 PM
To: E-mail Council Website <emailcouncil@slocity.org>
Subject: Heyd Adobe and possible new parking structure
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council:
I read with interest the recent opinion piece in the SLO Tribune, 18 Sept 2019, by James Papp, about plans to
potentially demolish the c. 1937, Heyd Adobe, 614 Monterey, near the corner of Nipomo and Monterey.
There are several issues I have with this as a librarian, former member of the CHC, and 30+ year resident of
the city.
History
Why are we not prioritizing saving an historic adobe in the Downtown Historic District of our historic city
center?
Larger Central Coast cities such as Monterey and Santa Barbara have long made their many, many adobes a
centerpiece of education, history, culture, architecture in their vibrant downtowns. Surely, there are ways to
save this valued structure while at the same time incorporating new, vibrant uses of the building.
Parking
I have lived in SLO since 1987. I cannot think of ever having not been able to find a parking space in the
downtown vicinity. The perception of “not enough parking” is so much greater than the actual reality, in my
opinion.
If we were talking about downtown Santa Monica (where I used to live), Berkeley, or many other urban
cities: yes, parking is quite a challenge. We are very spoiled here and tend to think a space must be right in
front of the store/business/restaurant that we plan to visit.
And, isn’t the current Council committed to moving away from car use, from dependence on fossil fuels, to
alternate transportation? Then why are we discussion building another parking lot for cars?
People talk about their concern about forever “altering the character” of downtown historic SLO because of
newer, taller buildings going up on empty lots, but this is a real character-changer. The Heyd adobe is a
unique resource which contributes to the character of our historic core and cannot be replaced.
Please give saving the Heyd adobe your serious consideration.
Sincerely,
Denise Fourie
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83 La Entrada Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
denisekfourie@gmail.com
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