College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Industrial Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Industrial Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Industrial Engineering

College - Author 4

College of Engineering

Department - Author 4

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Degree - Author 4

BS in Industrial Engineering

Date

3-2020

Primary Advisor

Karen Bangs, College of Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Additional Advisors

Tali Freed, College of Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

Downtown San Luis Obispo has been a popular destination for tourists, students, families, and roadtrippers. However, according to Ryan Betz, Interim Assistant to the City Manager, foot traffic and retail business revenue has been decreasing. Downtown SLO does not have enough free public spaces. Recent projects such as sidewalk bump outs and lighted crosswalks have aimed at making SLO more pedestrian accessible, but they have not actually made downtown more pleasurable. These projects have not seemed to drive any more business or traffic downtown. There are a myriad of ways to rectify this; studies show that having a free place to sit, gather, and socialize increases leisurely time spent in a downtown. Parklets will aid in resolving the fact that San Luis Obispo lacks the attractions to be a destination and a hub for social gatherings and a day of shopping. A parklet is an extension of the sidewalk that typically occupies a parking space and often includes benches, tables, and plants so the public can enjoy leisure time in a metropolitan area.

In order to increase foot traffic and indirectly increase revenue for downtown stores, the team has designed two different parklets to fit downtown SLO. The team has also designed a tool to analyze location possibilities, in order to get the desired effect out of a parklet. Two studies taken in Baltimore and Long Beach have proven that installing parklets near coffee shops or restaurants increase revenue by 20% and increase traffic to the point of hiring new employees. By designing these parklets, Parklets San Luis believes foot traffic and revenue in downtown San Luis Obispo could increase substantially.

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