As Mayor, I will continue to work to preserve and improve our cherished Downtown, especially the historical buildings and parks. Our Downtown needs to be vibrant economically and to retain its unique old-time charm. Loss of either element would make the City less beloved by residents and visitors alike. I support the retrofit program, so important for earthquake safety. I also have voted to upgrade street furnishings in order to reduce visual blight.

The City should create a Downtown Specific Plan, based on the Conceptual Plan for the Downtown done by former Mayor Ken Schwartz and a group of local architects, but updated in light of current resident input, new development, and Smart Growth principles. (See my definition of Smart Growth here.) Smart Growth principles will not turn our Downtown into a mini-Manhattan, but will make it become more dense and pedestrian friendly, without causing traffic problems, environmental damage or loss of historical character. As we add more people to the Downtown, we also need to create more public plazas and green space.

To enhance the attraction of the downtown to residents as well as visitors, the city needs to continue fostering the Children’s Museum, Little Theatre, County Historical Museum and the Museum of Art. On SLOCOG and the APCD, I am working to improve train travel between L.A. and San Francisco to promote regional tourism and “Car Free San Luis Obispo.” Downtown employees should be encouraged to use alternate transportation or park a few blocks away and walk to work to free up parking adjacent to businesses for customers.