That's More Like It, Mr. Marshall
Developer scales back Garden St. project, will let historic shops stay
Editorial Opinion - The Tribune
June 11, 2008Instead of getting hung up on his inability to purchase the Verizon building, the developer of downtown San Luis Obispo's proposed Garden Street Terraces worked around that glitch to create a stronger project.
The redesign also addresses some of the objections raised during the environmental review process — including concerns about the project's six-story height and the loss of historic buildings.
As a result, the revamped, five-story project is a better fit for the downtown. Yet it still includes the hotel rooms, residential units and shops that will be a huge economic asset to the city.
It also goes to show how the environmental review process—as relentlessly grinding as it can be for applicants—can lead to significant improvements, especially when the developer is as open to change as Hamish Marshall has been.
Back in August 2007, Marshall told Tribune reporter David Sneed that he was open to modifying the Garden Street project based on public input and the wishes of city officials.
"We don't necessarily expect the project to stay the way it is," he said then.
True to Marshall's word, the proposal has undergone significant modifications. And Marshall deserves credit for proactively meeting with nearby neighbors and other interested parties and listening to their suggestions.
Scaling back the height and preserving the historic shops on Garden Street are a couple of the most notable changes in this iteration.
The historic buildings—a couple of which date back to 1883 — may not be everyone's idea of architectural treasures, but we understand why many believe they add to the charm of the downtown and give us a sense of the city's past.
We also like the addition of a grocery store to the project — something that should be much in demand as more residential units are built downtown — and the increase in the number of public parking spaces.
Are we 100 percent sold on this version?
Not quite. We are hoping that the final version will include some notable architectural details worthy of a landmark building. At the moment, those details are not discernable in the flat renderings, which we suspect don't do justice to the stepped-back design.
Overall, we believe the revamped project is much improved when compared to the initial proposal. Marshall and his design team have demonstrated a genuine willingness to listen and be creative in overcoming obstacles.
We are confident that this project, particularly if Marshall and his team continue to improve on the design, will be an economic boon for the city and a draw for tourists and residents alike. And it will enhance downtown San Luis Obispo's charm.