Oakland Upholstery Shop Owner Says Business Down 90-Percent Because Of Caltrans Project
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- The owner of a 30-year old business in Oakland says a Caltrans construction project is running him out of town.
Business at Joseph Sahagun's upholstery shop is down 90-percent since Caltrans and the Alameda County Transportation Commission shut down part of 8th Street in July to build a sound wall next to I-880.
"They're Goliath and I'm David. I'm running out of ammo in my slingshot," he said.
No parking along with a ban on large commercial trucks on the street have forced Sahagun to meet customers blocks away in a grocery store parking lot to do business.
Caltrans also paved over the driveway to the upholstery business.
A gas station on the street is also on the brink of closing according to Sahagun, but received over a million dollars reimbursement from the county. Despite a request for reimbursement, and meetings with the county's appeals board, Sahagun hasn't received any money.
After KPIX 5 contacted Caltrans, the agency admitted it was wrong to pave over the driveway, and said they will repave it for Joe's business.
Caltrans says the project won't be complete until 2018.
