By Sara Beth Williams–
New FlashVote survey results released last week regarding economic development show a strong sentiment toward redevelopment of Sunrise Mall and the surrounding area, emphasizing that revitalization needed to take place sooner rather than later.
Conducted between Jan. 7 and Jan. 9, the most recent FlashVote survey questioned residents on their overall satisfaction with current economic opportunities available in Citrus Heights, with inquiries also seeking to find what obstacles prevent residents from shopping and dining locally and what other business options residents would like to see. The survey recorded 339 total participants, but some questions allowed for multiple responses.
Forty percent of survey respondents indicated they are either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with dining and shopping options in the city, while 37 percent indicated that they are somewhat or very unsatisfied. 21 percent indicated that they were neutral.
Almost 41 percent of those surveyed said they wanted to see more higher-end restaurants and stores, while 30 percent of participants said they wanted to see more of a variety of food options. 25 percent of respondents said nothing listed prevented them from shopping and dining local, and 22 percent selected “other” as an option. 60 percent of people surveyed said they wanted more restaurants and cafes and more entertainment and recreational options.
When asked what would help attract more businesses to Citrus Heights, 70 percent of survey participants said cleaning up and making businesses look nicer would be most helpful. Sixty percent said improving poor infrastructure, such as roads, would also help.
Fifty-four percent of survey participants said commercial areas need to be safer to attract more business, and 40 percent said permitting processes need to be faster.
A majority of 101 comments submitted mentioned Sunrise Mall by name, with several respondents imploring the city to “get something done” with the Sunrise Mall. Many called the mall “sad”, and “a mess,” while one commenter said mall is “Key” to getting Citrus Heights “back on the map.”
Many wrote that the revitalization of the mall needs to “speed up” and that the city should “stick with the Sunrise Tomorrow Plan” and “implement it as it stands.”
“The mall is a goner but PLEASE don’t downgrade the redevelopment plans to basically fast food and storage units,” one commenter wrote, while others asked the question of why the development hasn’t “moved forward more quickly.”
“No one wants to wait 20 years for completion,” another commenter wrote. Yet another said they wanted to see signage indicating a timeline for redevelopment, adding that the lack of visual progress in development is “very discouraging.”
Many called on the city to clean up blight at and around the Sunrise Mall property, saying the mall owners should be “forced” to improve upkeep or taxed to sell.
“City council can pass resolutions and measures to force them out,” one commenter said.
Another section of survey participants commented that the city needs more “culture” with “foodie” type restaurants, music venues, community gathering spaces, and a local theater that can host concerts and plays. Commenters recommended bringing in a wine tasting room, cannabis dispensaries, an Escape Room, and an Apple store, among others. Multiple commenters said they did not want any more fast-food drive-thru restaurants approved but instead wanted to see more sit-down restaurant options.
Several of those surveyed who left comments also lamented the state of the roads in Citrus Heights, calling the roads “terrible” with “huge potholes.” One commenter said, “Fix the roads and they will come.”
Prevailing homelessness, drug use, and overall safety were common concerns among commenters, as well as the amount of vacant businesses and unkempt storefronts.
While several commenters said they preferred to shop elsewhere outside the city, a few said the city has “made strides” to clean up blight and is “shaping up to be a nice, modern community.” Some surveyed said they appreciated the addition of Amazon Fresh and HomeGoods and wanted to see similar businesses established in the city. Another responder also encouraged supporting shopping in-store at national retail shops in the city, such as Hobby Lobby, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Costco, and others.
New FlashVote survey results released last week regarding economic development show a strong sentiment toward redevelopment of Sunrise Mall and the surrounding area, emphasizing that revitalization needed to take place sooner rather than later...
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