By Mike Hazlip—
A high-traffic section of Auburn Boulevard known for its pair of unsightly boarded-up buildings appears on track to see some visual improvements.
After more than a year since a suspected arsonist set fire to Mom’s Florist at 8252 Auburn Blvd. amid a landlord-tenant dispute, the property owners are hoping to reopen the building and attract a new tenant. The owner of a neighboring boarded-up gas station has also submitted plans to reopen the location.
From 2020: ‘Suspicious’ fire damages former Citrus Heights flower shop
In an interview Monday, Jay Rubash told The Sentinel that he and his business partner, Dan DeVries, are working to remodel the building after the former tenant left it in need of extensive repairs. Rubash said bringing the building up to ADA compliance took the majority of time in the months since the fire. He said the city approved the plans soon after they were submitted.
City spokeswoman Nichole Baxter told The Sentinel in an email Wednesday that a building permit was issued in August of 2021. She said building department staff also recently approved a shear wall inspection.
Rubash said the building will have new electrical, air conditioning, and sheet rock on the interior. A target opening date of about three months is anticipated, and the partners are currently looking for a tenant to occupy the commercial building once work is complete.
Property records indicate the building was constructed in 1954, with rentable space listed at just over 2,700 square feet.
Prior story: Citrus Heights floral shop forced to close amid landlord-tenant dispute
The Sentinel previously reported on an ongoing dispute with the owners and a former tenant, Mom’s Wholesale Florist. DeVries told The Sentinel in a 2020 report the florist owed more than $17,000 in rent but he was unable to collect or proceed with an eviction because of the state’s COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act.
The case was resolved in October 2020 when court action allowed an eviction to proceed. Citrus Heights code enforcement declared the building uninhabitable after an inspection revealed debris piles and evidence of occupation by multiple individuals.
Related: What’s going on with that eyesore gas station on Auburn Blvd?
Plans to reopen the neighboring gas station at 8244 Auburn Blvd. are currently awaiting approval from the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department and the Health Department, property representative Moe Alnaggar told The Sentinel last month.
Alnaggar said he is eager to make progress on the project, citing problems with homelessness, drug use, and vandalism at the site.
The City of Citrus Heights also has plans for visual improvements along the boulevard, with its $23 million Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Revitalization project, which will continue roadway improvements from Rusch Park to the Roseville border.
Plans include a prominent gateway arch to be installed across the boulevard near California Burger, along with road resurfacing, sidewalk widening, new bike lanes and street trees, and undergrounding of utility wires.
According to the latest update from the city, the project is slated to begin in 2023, and is expected to take two years to complete.
By Mike Hazlip—
A high-traffic section of Auburn Boulevard known for its pair of unsightly boarded-up buildings appears on track to see some visual improvements.
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