Santa Rosa desperately needs affordable housing in its downtown area to meet the needs of residents and employers. More housing downtown helps prevent further sprawl into the city's fire-prone wildland-urban interface and will contribute to a more vibrant, sustainable city. Santa Rosa has a surplus of parking in its downtown area. The 60-year-old Garage 5 (on 3rd street) represents less than 2% of all parking spaces downtown and requires $3 million in safety upgrades. City staff recommend the City Council develop the 3rd street garage into affordable housing (something we need) rather than sink millions of dollars to preserve the parking (something we don't need). The City Council needs to hear from YOU that affordable housing is more important than parking and that the 3rd street garage is an ideal site.
