SLO’s new $43 million parking structure is nearly finished. When will it open?
San Luis Obispo’s newest parking structure is nearly finished — so when will the $43 million garage open?
According to city spokesperson Whitney Szentesi, the city is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new structure on March 16, with the actual opening sometime that month, though a specific date has not yet been confirmed.
The Cultural Arts District Parking Structure has been taking shape at the corner of Palm and Nipomo streets downtown since its groundbreaking in late 2023.
Once completed, the five-story structure will add 397 parking spaces, 41 electric vehicle chargers, 32 bike racks and a new rooftop event space, according to a city news release.
It will also be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, meaning it can be used by downtown SLO residents as a safe and secure place to park overnight, the release said.
It’s all a part of the city’s push to create a Cultural Arts District downtown, anchored by the parking structure and SLO Rep’s highly anticipated state-of-the-art new theater.
“Since 2003, our vibrant city has been on a journey to create something truly remarkable: a fourth public parking garage that not only meets the needs of our community and the downtown but also ignites the spirit of creativity and connection,” the release said.
The structure will also act as a convenient place to park to visit some of the city’s downtown museums and theaters, such as the San Luis Obispo History Museum, the SLO Children’s Museum and the new SLO Museum of Art, which is expected to get under construction this year.
The city reminded residents that though the ongoing parking garage construction — and work on Mission Plaza — has partially closed portions of Nipomo and Palm streets in recent weeks, the above establishments all remained open and accessible as of Wednesday.
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