San Diego Surf Shop Files $25,000 Claim Against City Over Construction Woes

A beloved San Diego surf shop, Bird's Surf Shed, has filed a $25,000 loss of income claim against the City of San Diego, citing significant financial losses due to prolonged and disruptive construction projects in the Morena-Bay Park area. The owners state that ongoing work, particularly the Pure Water Project, has severely impacted customer access and sales.

Key Takeaways

• Bird's Surf Shed has filed a $25,000 claim against the City of San Diego.
• The claim is for loss of income due to prolonged construction.
• Customer access and parking have been significantly hindered by projects like the Pure Water Project.
• The shop experienced a notable drop in sales, especially during peak seasons.

Construction's Impact on Business

Eric "Bird" Huffman, co-owner of Bird's Surf Shed, expressed frustration over the constant construction cones and "no parking" signs that have plagued West Morena Boulevard for the past two years. He explained that the street closures and lack of accessible parking have made it difficult for customers to reach the store, leading to a substantial decrease in sales. Huffman noted that the Christmas season, typically a peak sales period, was particularly hard hit, serving as the final straw.

A Plea for Better Planning

Anthony Gomez, manager of a neighboring home improvement store, corroborated Huffman's account, stating that his business has seen a decline of over 25% in expected sales due to similar access issues. Huffman emphasized that the $25,000 claim is less about the monetary amount and more about drawing the city's attention to the severe impact these projects have on local businesses. He believes the city needs to be more compassionate and implement better planning to mitigate the negative effects on retailers.

City's Response

The Pure Water Project, which involves installing a pump station and is expected to continue until 2027, began construction in June 2021. While the city has not commented on the specific claim, citing pending litigation, businesses in the area, including those affected by a recent roundabout project in City Heights that reportedly caused up to 35% revenue loss, are calling for more thoughtful consideration from the city during infrastructure development.

Sources

• San Diego surf shop files loss of income claim against city due to construction – NBC 7 San Diego, NBC 7 San Diego.
• Bird's Surf Shed files claim against City of San Diego, citing a loss of income, cbs8.com.