From: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 1:17 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Comment re Barlow Hotel request for investment from city's future tax revenues Below are my concerns after reading the Sebastopol Times recap of the Sebastopol City Council meeting on May 19.
Before the city council considers investing public funds in a private hotel project such as the Barlow Hotel, it should first determine whether additional hotel rooms are needed. The Sebastopol Inn failed and was later repurposed, first as an emergency shelter and then as supportive housing for low-income residents. The Fairfield Inn also appears underused. Is there verified demand for more hotel rooms, or is this simply a hope that visitors will come? What return will the city receive for redirecting budgeted revenue? Given the hesitation of private investors, this proposal seems imprudent.
Thank you.
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Geoff MacMillan
Sebastopol CA 95472
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