Financial relief is coming for City Heights businesses hurt by construction delays
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Delayed construction on University Avenue is hurting local businesses. Photo: Kate Murphy/Axios
Struggling business owners in City Heights are seeking accountability and transparency from the city as road construction disrupts the neighborhood's main corridor.
Why it matters: Construction delays, detours and mismanagement of the $13 million University Avenue project has stifled business for over two years, forcing some storefronts to close or cut jobs and putting others in serious financial trouble.
Driving the news: The City Heights Community Development Corporation on Thursday announced a relief fund to help keep businesses afloat. It's unclear how much money might be available as they're still raising funds.
- The organization also launched a five-week "Shop Local Passport Program" with rewards and raffles incentivizing shoppers to visit participating restaurants, salons and shops.
- City Heights CDC will also host an inaugural Taste of City Heights festival on April 12 with local vendors and live entertainment.
Catch up quick: Roadwork began in January 2023 to make much-needed improvements to pedestrian and driver safety with roundabouts and crosswalks, plus adding transit stops and a new storm drain system.
- This project was expected to be completed by summer 2024. Now, the city anticipates the work should end around March 28, but business owners still worry about further delays.
- The street is still torn up, and about two dozen businesses are barricaded by fencing, heavy machinery and other construction materials, which makes them appear closed and limits foot traffic, parking and revenue.
Between the lines: At the Thursday press conference, local business owners spoke about their financial challenges and frustrations with the contractor and city officials over the delays and a lack of communication. Some said this wouldn't have happened in a more affluent neighborhood.
- City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who represents the area, expressed those same frustrations, saying this situation deserves the same prioritization and respect that it would if it was downtown or involving major corporations.
- He said contractors that do poor work for the city shouldn't continue to get bids.
What they're saying: "This has been treated like a dumping ground, rather than the heart of the City Heights business community," Elo-Rivera said.
- "I've watched heaven and earth move for corporations that extract incredible amounts of wealth from San Diego, I've watched insiders be able to pick up the phone and create action … in front of their businesses because they're part of the establishment that has run this city for so long," he said. "I've watched these businesses cry out for two years and not receive the assistance that they should have."
What's next: The city department overseeing the project needs to give more critical feedback, prod the contractor on the timeline, monitor the site, and hold this contractor and others accountable through the bidding process, Elo-Rivera told Axios.
