That flamboyant new paint job in downtown SLO? Most folks aren’t batting an eye | Opinion
The Downtown Centre in San Luis Obispo — home to Barnes & Noble, Anthropologie and the Downtown Centre Cinemas, among other businesses — has a new look that’s hard to miss.
At the Marsh Street entrance to the shopping the center, the outdoor “furniture” — pedestals, low-standing walls and the large, circular planter that surrounds the Puck statue — have gotten a pop-arty paint job consisting of splashes of color in various shapes and sizes.
One splotch looks like a fried egg with a black yolk. There’s half a black heart, blobs that look like misshapen jelly beans, plus lots of lines, triangles and circles. The artist used eye-popping colors: including lime green, pink, black, mustard, orange, white and various shades of blue.
Toddlers would like it
Even so, some people are barely registering it.
“I haven’t even noticed it,” said one shopper who declined to give her name.
“Somebody’s getting creative,” a passer-by said — after the changes were pointed out to her.
As of about a week ago, Mayor Erica Stewart said she had gotten zero feedback about it.
Sort of makes you wonder what it takes to turn heads in this city.
Those who did take note described it as “colorful,” “jaunty” and “festive.” A coworker said it reminded her of the “squiggly” designs on some Urban Outfitters products. Another compared it to Target merch.
There was one harsh assessment: “Looks like someone had too much fun drawing and filling in circles on their iPad,” an artist friend told me, though she also acknowledged that toddlers would probably like it.
City wasn’t part of the process
Whether you love it or hate it, do not blame the city of SLO. The project was the work of property owner Jamestown LP, a real estate investment and management firm, and did not require city approval.
That seems strange in a municipality that so scrupulously upholds design standards. Not that I’m criticizing. Downtown San Luis Obispo is a gem, and that didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of scrupulous planning, discussion and review, often followed by more planning, more discussion and more review.
Even those painted utility boxes undergo a strenuous approval process that includes selection by a jury of artists. The Downtown Centre murals are a lot more visible — at least to most viewers — especially since the shopping area is a gateway to downtown for visitors who enter from the Marsh Street parking garage.
That artwork, however, did not fall under the city’s purview since it is not a public art project, according to Community Development Director Timmi Tway.
The city does have a say over exterior paint schemes during the development application process, but the Downtown Centre is 30 years old, and apparently the permit did not include any condition specifying that the city must sign off on any future design changes.
That seems risky. If I’m interpreting things correctly, that means Jamestown could paint the whole place Pantone 448 C — a drab, greenish-brown that’s been compared to sewage and has been officially named the ugliest color in the world — and there would be nothing the city could do about it.
Except, Jamestown wouldn’t do that — not if it wants to keep its tenants happy and lease out the empty spaces in the project.
Jamestown, by the way, did not respond to requests for comment, so I can’t tell you whether the new color scheme is permanent or something that will be painted over after the holidays.
I’m fine either way.
While I initially struggled with it — it seemed jarringly out of place compared to its surroundings — after multiple viewings, the new look has more-or-less grown on me.
If I’m being really honest, now I’m a lot like other shoppers. I barely even notice it.
