Nevada City Business Owners Say Boardwalk Attracts Homeless, Scares Customers

By Kelly Ryan

NEVADA CITY (CBS13) — Business owners in Nevada City are calling on the city to remove a boardwalk along Commercial Street, saying it's attracting a rough crowd and they're losing business.

It was meant to attract business but some business owners say this boardwalk is attracting drugs, loitering and crime and it's bad for business.

"I've seen fights. I've seen drug deals," said Cal Carrington, whose wine shop is across from the boardwalk. "Personally, I think the boardwalk should go away."

The boardwalk is a wooden deck like structure that extends off the sidewalk off of Commercial street. It was built in 2011, but Carrington and other business owners say the groups that hang out there intimidate shoppers.

"They walked out of the corner and they see the boardwalk and see individuals with dogs and paraphernalia and turn and walk away," he said.

The project was greenlighted by the city council as a place for visitors to sit outdoors and enjoy coffee or slice of pizza.

That's not what happened says Lorri Flores who owned Pete's Pizza that has since shut down.

"We're talking about people living on it for 12 hours a day. for 12 hours a day, backpacks, their backpacks, their dogs and cans of dog food," she said.

She says she was supportive of the boardwalk until the crowds got out of hand, leading her close up shop and move to Grass Valley.

"We had people use drugs in the restroom people dyed their hair black in the sink," she said.

Other business owners admit there are a few problems, but they've not new.

Police have been responsive but say with a small force, they can't watch the area 24 hours a day.

City Councilman Evan Phelps says thinks the problems can be worked out, but the City Council has the power to get rid of the boardwalk, and would consider it.