A long-running construction project in a busy stretch of downtown Bakersfield is creating major parking problems that some nearby business owners say are costing them money, even as the city says the work remains on track to wrap up by the end of October.
The 19th Street Improvement Project, a $7.5 million effort that began in April and is expected to last through Halloween, has led to ongoing parking issues that have frustrated some business owners along the corridor.
Marc DeLeon, who has owned Mad Dog Tattoo and Body Piercing for 35 years, said the disruption has been severe. “I’m used to being the forgotten one when it comes to being on 19th street,” DeLeon said.
DeLeon said he has lost 80% of his business since construction began in April because customers have had difficulty finding places to park. Other nearby businesses, including the Mint Bar and Griffin Pawn Shop, also say they are struggling.
“Enough is enough,” DeLeon said.
DeLeon posted a letter on Facebook Thursday expressing disappointment and calling on the city to help address the situation. He posted another letter Friday with what he described as a positive update, saying city staff will be working with him.
Christopher DeLeon said businesses should have been consulted earlier. “I feel like having to go to social media to get our voices heard shouldn’t have been what we had to do. We should have been spoken to before all this started. But they didn’t care,” he said.
DeLeon wants construction equipment parked away from the parking lot adjacent to his business to free up spaces. Parking has become so limited that a car was towed during an interview with City Councilman Andrae Gonzales, who proposed the broader downtown project in 2017. Gonzales said DeLeon’s idea is a good one.
“We need to be able to support our businesses during this construction phase as well. I mean, it’s a bit ironic that this project is intended to help enhance and support small businesses and yet it’s impacting businesses in the interim. That’s no good,” Gonzales said.
The city said it remains on schedule to complete the project by the end of October. In a statement, the city said: “Staff is reaching out to these businesses directly to address their concerns and look for solutions. Staff is also available to any businesses if issues come up as this project progresses. Direct contact has been provided to all businesses on this corridor.”
DeLeon has described 19th Street as “the forgotten road,” but said business owners now want attention and solutions as construction continues.