"The San Luis Obispo Downtown Association is a non-profit membership organization working through programs, services and advocacy------ for the economic, social, cultural and environmental vitality and beautification of Downtown."

Executive Director's Message

Some recent communications from Downtown business owners provided inspiration for this month's column. Given recent construction projects, a still 'wobbly' economic landscape and rumors ("Is Macy's coming to where Forever 21 is now and is Forever 21 coming Downtown to where Sports Authority is?" as an example), business owners are expressing ideas about how improvements (even relief) can be achieved. [Re the rumor, NO, I don't know...]  We of course welcome your creative approaches and unique perspectives and want to support your active involvement, so thank you for emailing, calling or writing with your concerns and suggestions.

I'd like to illustrate how the process works when we receive input along the lines of 'have you ever thought about' or 'in such-and-such a town, they do this...' and how you can be part of that process.

Just like you, as a business owner, the Downtown Association has a business plan and budget. Like you, we set goals, conduct business according to our plan and keep an eye on the finances. Formally, the process begins when the Board of Directors--your representatives--solicits input from the membership and committees, guided by a Mission Statement and set of goals. This occurs over a six month period and is finalized in a two-year work program and budget adopted at the Annual Board Retreat.

It is during this six-month period when blue-sky exercises--fleshing out lots of ideas--occur and when each committee prioritizes programs. Using the Promotions Committee as an example, numerous ideas are floated by the members and staff, whittled down to a manageable number and then given a ranking based on the project's ultimate ability to uphold the Mission Statement and goals. Funds are assigned to the projects from the top down; some may remain on the books but with an 'unfunded' wish list status.

When new ideas are introduced outside of this process, they are referred to the appropriate committee or Board and analyzed in terms of resources and where they would fit into the work plan--which could mean something else would have to go.

Things to consider? Equity--does the proposed program provide greatest benefit to the greatest number of members? Cost--how will it be funded and how much staff time will it take, realistically? Has it been done somewhere else before; what are the pros and cons? Remember the Downtown Gift Card? Years ago, we tried a program where someone could purchase a gift certificate at the Downtown Association office and the holder could spend it in a Downtown business. Yet not all businesses wanted to participate, and since there was no surcharge, there was no way to recoup administrative costs or pay for materials or advertising. Some businesses who did participate wanted expiration dates on the card, others didn't want to collect their money at the back end, and having multiple businesses 'share' a customer's certificate was messy.   Corporate businesses were not able to participate; worse, non retail businesses objected to the use of Downtown Association staff time and resources on a program that did not benefit them. You get the gist of why this particular 'good idea' ultimately didn't pan out.

But that's not to say that's always the case and why your creative energy and suggestions do matter.

So, then, here's an idea: GET INVOLVED. Join a committee, come to meetings. By being part of the entity that operates Downtown, can you ensure your passion flows on fertile territory. You'll also gain a better understanding of how this organization functions and how big picture thinking drives many of our programs to ensure your--and your idea's--success...around Downtown.  

Dominic Tartaglia - SLO Downtown Association Board President

I am both excited and pleased to be representing all of you wonderful Downtown businesses this year as your Downtown Association Board President. Already, I have had a few businesses reach out to both vocalize their concerns about our lovely streets as well as to encourage more of the good that we are doing to increase traffic to our retailers and businesses down here. All that I can say is that without a great staff and well formed programs we, as a board, could not serve you as well as we do. Our staff is awesome!  

Kathy Smith

SLO City Council marked May Day by directing City Staff to move ahead researching and developing advanced parking restrictions to address adverse neighborhood impacts of long-term parking of vehicles and use of vehicles as housing on public streets.

This action was the first step in considering new efforts to manage two distinct challenges in regulating oversized vehicles and RV parking in the community.

The primary trigger for the action is the growing activity in San Luis Obispo that finds homeless individuals/families living in RVs, vans and other vehicles, at this time, primarily parking overnight in business districts. The behaviors of many . . . including dealing drugs and urinating and defecating on private property . . . is a public health and safety concern violating codes in San Luis Obispo.

In residential neighborhoods, the culprit is the individual who parks an RV or oversized vehicle that becomes an "eyesore" in the area as on-street parking spaces effectively become storage spaces.   Residents thus are deprived of regular daily parking and feel the owners should seek out legitimate avenues for long-term storage.

A secondary effort in residential neighborhoods is creating a permitting system that allows "company" visiting in such RVs to remain in the area for a specified number of days.

Action taken by the Council, at this time, encourages Police and other city officials to enforce parking and zoning codes as they exist.   Staff will be bringing back altered regulations in the weeks ahead that will include posting signage that further communicates the City's updated regulations.

While Downtown entrepreneurs may not identify directly with the parking issues, there is a definite spillover into Downtown businesses and customers who have been intimidated, harassed and victimized by transient/homeless individuals.

To a person, San Luis Obispo Council Members have been actively involved with programs to assist homeless individuals/families as they struggle to seek a stable lifestyle.   The new Safe Parking Program to be initiated at the Prado Day Center is evidence of that concern.

It is a partnership of SLO City government, residents, businesses and support agencies (i.e. CAPSLO) that will move San Luis forward to a positive human solution.