1 Mary Gourley
From: Kate Haug < >
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2022 10:52 AM
To: Mary Gourley
Cc: o Jann Eyrich; Kathy Oetinger; Fernandez, Evert
Subject: No Parklet? Beautify Main Street and Public Spaces - Public Comment 7/5/22 - Budget Discussion Dear Council Members,
In light of the fact that CalTrans does not seem to be in support of permanent parklets and the recent crash into the Screaming Mimi's parklet, the Council might decide against a permanent parklet.
If so, I would suggest that some of these potentially allotted funds go towards the beautification of Main Street and downtown Sebastopol. I know the City is trying to attract more tourists and is supporting a Relaunch Campaign with public funds.
If so, then we should make the Downtown Core look as good as possible. Currently, our commercial district struggles with weeds, graffiti, stickers on utility poles and boxes, abandoned shopping carts, litter, abandoned media stands that clog the sidewalks and other debris. In addition, our "Visitors Center" sign is completely degraded and cracked.
If there are funds available, I would suggest increased spending on our Downtown Core in terms of making it more visually appealing and welcoming. Regular sidewalk and window washing could also help. I know we are in a drought but also know you can wash windows without using excessive amounts of water.
Our local business community would like to apply for a grant to improve Downtown. If money is available, it seems like a good investment in our City and our local, small businesses. We need to make Sebastopol viable for our small business community and we need to attract new businesses to fill our current high rate of commercial vacancy.
I would suggest that Council look at other small downtowns like Novato and Ukiah. Their downtowns are clean and welcoming and have a similar mixed architectural style that we have in Sebastopol. They are low‐key livable spaces.
We need to invest in our civic spaces such as the area around the library, post‐office and town square so they are free of trash, in good repair and weed free. We need to plant the area around the Public Sculpture Garden at Ives Park so it is not so barren. We need to make sure our public parking lots are weed and graffiti free. There has been graffiti on the Utility Box at the High Street Parking lot for over 6 months. If resources are available, simple maintenance and upkeep could help show visitors the charm of our small town.
If we spend money to market Sebastopol, then we need to ensure that visitors have a good experience and do not walk away feeling that Sebastopol is shabby and unattractive.
Best,
Kate Haug