ABOUT DOWNTOWN SLO
Downtown SLO is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1975 whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant Downtown. Our organization is made up of the fee-paying businesses who operate within our boundaries, voluntary members, and our civic collaborators, including nonprofit organizations, residents, and visitors to our Downtown. We have a robust partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo, and we advocate to the City on behalf of our membership as well as participate in City processes to ensure our Downtown is positioned as vital to our City, County and regional economy and identity.
Our charitable nonprofit arm, the Friends of Downtown SLO is a 501c3 nonprofit where tax-deductible donations of any size may be made to support a vibrant Downtown San Luis Obispo.
OUR MISSION
To foster an economically vibrant Downtown
VALUES OF DOWNTOWN SLO
- We help people and business grow and thrive
- We foster a feeling of belonging
- We create community
- We like to bring people together
- We celebrate diversity
- We practice optimism
- We are resilient
- We actively promote a walkable, bikeable, accessible community
- We cultivate sustainability
- We value the outdoors and respect our natural environment
- We believe that a thriving economy depends on authentic connection
Adopted March 2019
DOWNTOWN SLO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Downtown SLO is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors which is elected by the membership each March. Board members take office in April and may serve up to two consecutive two-year terms. The Board appoints three designated members representing voluntary member businesses in the district from financial, non-profit, and higher education sectors. The Board also appoints one non-voting media representative. The four appointed terms do not have term limits. All Board members must also serve on at least one of the seven standing committees. The Board of Directors meets every second Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. in the Downtown SLO conference room.
Pat Arnold – CoVelop Inc; President, Executive, Parking & Access Committee
Carl Dudley – Pacific Western Bank; Designated Member, Financial Treasurer, Executive Committee
Jai Covey – Novo, Luna Red, and Mint+Craft; Food, Beverage & Services Committee
Michael Dammeyer – Puglisi Architecture
Maryalice Hamilton –Blackwater
Donna Lewis – Guaranteed Rate Mortgage
Mark Rawson – Copeland Properties; Parking & Access Committee
M. Faríd Shahíd – Eighty 20 Group; Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market Chair
David Smith – Hotel SLO
Scott Smith – Central Coast Surfboards; Parking Committee
Stephanie Stackhouse – SLO Yoga Center; Parking Committee
Brandon Downing – KSBY; Media Representative, Special Events Committee
Courtney Kienow – Cal Poly; Designated Member: Higher Education, Economic Activities Committee
Laura Mullen – HumanKind Fair Trade; Designated Member: Nonprofit, Economic Activities Chair
Government Liaisons
Aaron Gomez, San Luis Obispo City Council
Christopher Lopez, Director of Central Services, San Luis Obispo County
Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager, City of San Luis Obispo
DOWNTOWN SLO STAFF
DOWNTOWN SLO COMMITTEES
All committee meetings are currently on hiatus. There are seven standing committees: Cultural Arts; Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market; Economic Activities; Food, Beverage, & Services; Issues Evaluation; Parking & Access; and Special Events. All committees are open to the public and have one designated City representative, with the exception of the Issues Evaluation Committee.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Curious about joining a committee? Have other questions or input about our Downtown? We value hearing from our community and believe your input is crucial to a successful Downtown. To get involved, please contact us at reachus@downtownslo.com or give us a call at (805) 541 – 0286. We look forward to hearing from you!
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
Downtown SLO has supported our business community for 45 years. The organization began as a Business Improvement Association in 1975 when business owners decided to self-assess to improve the district and develop unified promotions, beautification projects, and parking programs for the Downtown area.
In 1998 the organization became the Downtown Association, and in 2008 changed its organizational structure from a city advisory body to an independent 501 (c) 6 nonprofit in order to better serve our members. In 2017, the Board of Directors chose to refresh our image and brand, and now we are proud to be known as Downtown SLO.
The organization relies on hundreds of volunteers each year to build community in our beloved Downtown. Please join us reachus@downtownslo.com (805) 541-0286