I think that, instead of the city of San Luis Obispo trying to annex more land for retail and develop Ernie Dalidio’s property, the city should instead look into talks with the SLO Promenade owners for a remodel.

I think Forever 21 should locate downtown into the old Copeland Sports building and Macy’s should replace Forever 21. The strip of stores below the big box stores should be torn out and replaced with a more pedestrian-friendly area with a fountain, a walkway, restaurants and trees. Perhaps add Pick Up Stix or Togo’s Sandwiches where Taco Bell was?

Another idea is that some of Dalidio Ranch could better used as a 100,000-square-foot retail expansion to the SLO Promenade.

Stores such as REI, Golfsmith, and Ethan Allen would compliment existing retail and would not compete with any current national retailers here, and would be great as an expansion to the SLO Promenade.