W h a t ’ s
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A r o u n d
guess he didn’t know I’m a Doxie mom who doesn’t think my girls would enjoy that.) Or the woman who believes Monterey Street, if closed to traffic between Santa Rosa and Mission Plaza, would make a great outdoor mall. A business owner, responding to who their clientele will be in the future said “old money,” explaining that this demographic will require a high level of customer service and value pricing (read: they’re rich, want lots of attention and a good deal—oy vey.)
C
ommon themes that people are concerned about include panhandling/transient related issues (less of these), restrooms (more of these), parking (more spaces/ fewer meters), increased density (more, more, more: housing, hotels, retail, people, grocery stores…) and more lights in the trees.
L
ooking beyond current challenges, we’re also asked to “close the big box stores,” “preserve small business,” “have fewer food/bars and more retail,” “offer quality customer service,” and provide “regular beat cops.” Of course, I can’t just walk over to Costco and tell them to leave town, nor would I want to. Costco’s presence was correctly predicted to be mostly beneficial to Downtown by reducing “leakage” of people heading out of town for MacBook Air or Pro their big box fix.any In general, people come to Downtown for different reasons from why they shop on LOVR. What
Up to $100 off
D o w n t o w n
?
we CAN do is advocate: for projects that include mixed use elements, for public safety assistance, and for public/ private partnerships such as the tree lighting project we undertook with the City last year, etc.
T
hough I’m still in the early stages of developing the Plan, here’s where I see Downtown heading down the road: a return to basics such as people living, working and playing in Downtown and perhaps not needing a car; and businesses to serve this 24/7 group such as corner grocery stores, bakeries, newsstands and sundries’ shops; entertainment and experiential opportunities that draw people from around the county and beyond; niche retail that’s attuned to all levels of shopper, including those who prefer to hit an online “buy” button and not drag their purchases around; free wi-fi for all Downtown visitors, “smart parking” that will enable your cell phone to find st your time your space, fill your meter and alert when at ju g you tinpromote starthat is up; an explosion of events health, fitness, family, local products/services—these are the visions that downtowns across the country are getting excited about.
i iPad min $329
M
y thanks to those of you who participated in our visioning process, to those of you who are passionate about and supportive of Downtown and to all those who invest in, work in, visit and enjoy all that we think is great about SLO…around Downtown.
FREE $25 gift card with any iPad purchase
Moms & Grads Sales Event Ends Saturday!
iPad
starting mini at just $
329
iPad
starting mini at just $
329
Savings throughout the store on great gifts for your Mom or Graduate. Next to Target · SLO 805/781-MACS MON-SAT 9am-7pm / Closed Sunday macsuperstore.com