Infrastructure is being changed by updated construction in downtown Sacramento that would seem to be a good thing until one sees the negative impact it has on businesses.
Due to a large sewer upgrade taking place on 9th Street (that is not due to be finished now until the middle of September), businesses are, well, loosing business. Who wants to sit and have a “relaxed” dinner at one of the nearby eateries with a dental drill type sound banging in their ears. As well, 9th Street has anyway been closed for the last 6 months between H and L. So even those who were willing to put up with it, actually can’t.
Those most affected include: Andy’s Candy, Capitol Mini-Mart, La Cosecha, Temple Coffee Roasters and Wayside Noodles. According to Sonya Sorich, Digital Editor at the Sacramento Business Journal, they have already encountered a variety of negative impacts from the project, including a reported 20-25 percent decline in sales (from Andy’s Candy). Capitol Mini-Mart have claimed an even larger drop, with a loss of 90 percent in business.
However, the city recognizes the issue and there have been promises from Sacramento’s Department of Utilities to earmark $60,000 to the 12 businesses most affected.