Midtown Sacramento businesses react to sudden parking removal for construction

Businesses in midtown Sacramento say they were given little warning that street parking on part of J Street would be removed because of construction on a new apartment project, raising concerns about the impact on customers and daily operations.The affected stretch is on J Street between 21st and 22nd streets, where a seven-story mixed-use apartment building is planned. Business owners said they were told Friday that parking in front of their storefronts would be eliminated until July 2027.“It feels like it was a freakin’ minute of notice,” Marcos Murillo of Tapa the World said.Rachel Liu of O’Toro Midtown said the notice came too late. “It was too short. You have to let us know early,” Liu said.Max Lofing of Lofing Lighting said the change had an immediate effect. “This was a severe impact on our business as well as many others on the street,” Lofing said.Murillo said the lack of parking quickly changed the feel of the corridor. “Yesterday, it was like a ghost town. Nothing was happening,” he said.The parking removal is tied to construction by Stone Bridge Properties, which received approval last summer to build the new development.Trevor Watanabe of O’Toro Midtown said business owners had received little communication. “Pretty much there’s been no communication other than them just saying, yeah, that this is just how it is,” Watanabe said.After businesses raised their concerns on Wednesday with city officials and the developer, Sacramento officials said a compromise had been reached.KCRA reached out to the city regarding their concerns.“Through a collaborative process, the parties identified a solution that restores on-street parking while maintaining lane widths and preserving level of service for the community and emergency response,” the city said in a statement Wednesday night.The city said parking is expected to be restored next week.“It’s better than 12 to 18 months,” Lofing said.Until parking returns, business owners said they are asking customers for patience and support.“Right now, hopefully, customers can come support us,” Liu said.Murillo also urged neighboring businesses to stay resilient. “Be strong and survive through this rough time,” he said.The city did not answer KCRA’s questions about why businesses were given short notice about the parking change. O’Toro Midtown and Tapa the World said they are still seeking answers. Stone Bridge Properties did not respond to a request for comment.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Businesses in midtown Sacramento say they were given little warning that street parking on part of J Street would be removed because of construction on a new apartment project, raising concerns about the impact on customers and daily operations.

The affected stretch is on J Street between 21st and 22nd streets, where a seven-story mixed-use apartment building is planned.

Business owners said they were told Friday that parking in front of their storefronts would be eliminated until July 2027.

“It feels like it was a freakin’ minute of notice,” Marcos Murillo of Tapa the World said.

Rachel Liu of O’Toro Midtown said the notice came too late.

“It was too short. You have to let us know early,” Liu said.

Max Lofing of Lofing Lighting said the change had an immediate effect.

“This was a severe impact on our business as well as many others on the street,” Lofing said.

Murillo said the lack of parking quickly changed the feel of the corridor.

“Yesterday, it was like a ghost town. Nothing was happening,” he said.

The parking removal is tied to construction by Stone Bridge Properties, which received approval last summer to build the new development.

Trevor Watanabe of O’Toro Midtown said business owners had received little communication.

“Pretty much there’s been no communication other than them just saying, yeah, that this is just how it is,” Watanabe said.

After businesses raised their concerns on Wednesday with city officials and the developer, Sacramento officials said a compromise had been reached.

KCRA reached out to the city regarding their concerns.

“Through a collaborative process, the parties identified a solution that restores on-street parking while maintaining lane widths and preserving level of service for the community and emergency response,” the city said in a statement Wednesday night.

The city said parking is expected to be restored next week.

“It’s better than 12 to 18 months,” Lofing said.

Until parking returns, business owners said they are asking customers for patience and support.

“Right now, hopefully, customers can come support us,” Liu said.

Murillo also urged neighboring businesses to stay resilient.

“Be strong and survive through this rough time,” he said.

The city did not answer KCRA’s questions about why businesses were given short notice about the parking change. O’Toro Midtown and Tapa the World said they are still seeking answers.

Stone Bridge Properties did not respond to a request for comment.