SLO’s Mission Plaza is getting some major upgrades — and it includes new restrooms
San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza is in for some major upgrades in the coming weeks.
The city announced Friday it plans to begin construction Jan. 13 on a major overhaul of the downtown plaza adjacent to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
The work, conducted by Quincon Inc., will last an estimated nine months and “revitalize the heart of downtown SLO,” the city said in a news release.
“Mission Plaza has always been a special gathering space for our community, and this project ensures it will remain a space where memories are made, events are celebrated and our city’s rich history is honored,” project manager Sandra Golonka said in the release. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we work together to bring this vision to life.”
The project is the culmination of several years of work to rehabilitate the aging plaza, which is home to numerous seasonal events and city celebrations.
In total, the city is expected to spend about $5.8 million on the project, according to a FAQ on the city’s website.
What will Mission Plaza renovation include?
So what is changing?
The majority of the work will focus on replacing the plaza’s public restrooms and restoring the historic Murray Adobe — the one-time home of The Tribune and the only commercial building to remain after the plaza was built in the 1970s.
The new restrooms will have better lighting and increased capacity as well as improved accessibility, the city said.
Meanwhile, the Murray Adobe, which was once a much larger building but suffered damage from a previous renovation attempt, will have drainage inlets added around it, as well as a protective plaster wall with a viewing window, according to city documents.
The renovation will also add a new cafe kiosk with outdoor seating in the vicinity of the new restrooms. It will also “feature site improvements including new paving, enhanced lighting and updated landscaping,” the release said.
During construction, there will be some minor traffic impacts at the corner of Broad and Monterey streets due to intermittent closures, the city said. There will also be some crosswalk reroutes into the plaza.
Construction is expected to be complete by fall 2025.
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