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SLO City Council to consider lowering parking rates

November 6, 2023

SLO City Council

BY KAREN VELIE

The San Luis Obispo City Council is scheduled to discuss parking rates and the impact the increased costs have had on downtown visitors during a meeting on Tuesday, according to the agenda.

The council plans to discuss parking rate relief options that include bringing back the one-hour free parking to all city structures. In addition, the council will consider authorizing a parking rate study.

Last June, the council voted unanimously to double downtown parking rates, effective July 2023, with  plans to build a fourth parking structure. Two-hour street parking in the main downtown core increased from $2 an hour to $4 per hour while parking in structures rose from $1.50 an hour to $3 per hour. The city also eliminated its first-hour-free parking in all city structures.

Downtown business owners say the changes resulted in fewer visitors and less revenue. Research by city staff shows a decline in visitors to the downtown from 2022 to 2023, according to a staff report.

The council approved the rate increases to help pay for the new parking structure, which will provide needed capacity on the west end of downtown in what has become the developing Cultural Arts District. The new San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre will be built adjacent to the structure.

The current rate structure was developed based on the cost of the proposed parking garage. However, the cost estimates have changed, with a considerable savings. The proposed study would look into reducing rates based on the cost savings.

Currently, downtown street parking rates are slated to increase to $5 an hour on July 1, 2025.

 


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We are suppose to believe this, I find it amusing! No one is going to admit they screwed up… “However, the cost estimates have changed, with a considerable savings. The proposed study would look into reducing rates based on the cost savings.”


1

Who do they want on bicycles? I commute downtown to the Laguna area. Should I? I don’t want to ride in the dark, cross freeways, and dodge encampments in the dark.

Tourists? Are my family visiting from out of town going to go to dinner and a movie downtown and ride bikes? In my near-downtown office, of 22 employees, TWO lives in San Luis. Who were these danger-lanes made for?


1

If the Council had decided to move forward with the new parking structure when they sold the two downtown parking lots for the recent hotel developments, it would have cost a helluva lot less than they are spending today under Bidenflation.


13

At the rate SLO is running off shoppers and visitors with parking rates and homeless people they won’t need a parking structure.

Problem solved!


24

Sales tax revenue beats parking revenue 10 to 1. I said it 6 months ago and I say it again if you want a vibrant Old Town all parking should be FREE !!!!!!


39

What are the qualifications these people must meet to be on the city council? I suspect there are none. Just trick people into voting for you? Why do I think that 5 randomly chosen high school kids could “govern” at least as well as these people?


37

“What are the qualifications these people must meet to be on the city council?”

Candidates must be 18 years of age or older and be a resident of the City.

Possession of a logical functioning mind and ability to form rational conclusions are optional, and, if recent results are any indication, are actually discouraged.


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