Tag: Steve Johnston

Updated 10:26 a.m., April 10th–
By Mike Hazlip–The latest, brand-new commercial center in Citrus Heights is nearing completion at the high-visibility intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Sungarden Drive.

A spokesman for general contractor Wells Construction, Steve Johnston, told The Sentinel in an interview Wednesday that crews have completed striping the parking lot and the project is waiting for SMUD to restore power to the site. Johnston said he is working to meet a target opening date of late-April.

“We’re in process of working with SMUD because getting permanent power is a big deal and that is one of the key things we’re waiting on,” Johnston said. “Gas is installed, water is installed, everything is installed, even down to the kitchen sink is installed.”

Anchor tenant Starbucks already has signage in place that can be seen from the roadway. The remaining spaces are currently unleased, according to Johnston. He said previously that the 7,759-square-foot building will have a total of six suites.

The site has energy efficient features like LED lighting and electric vehicle parking.

Johnston said the project has not seen any significant delays outside of some weather-related setbacks typical of the industry. He said theft at the site has been an issue, causing him to walk the perimeter each day to look for breaks in the chain link fence set up around the site.

“Generators, tools, up to heavy equipment… We’ve had over $100,000 all in losses out here,” he said. A police lieutenant confirmed five reports of stolen items from the job site and said officers have increased overnight patrols to help combat theft.

Johnston said next steps include planting of numerous shrubs and plants around the property. Dozens of plants still in containers could be seen at the site Wednesday, waiting to be put in the ground.

The site at 7056 Sunrise Blvd. was formerly home to a multi-story bank building, which sat vacant for several years before being demolished last year.

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By Mike Hazlip–
Heavy duty earth-moving equipment can now be seen at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Sungarden Drive, as crews excavate the site where a future corner retail plaza is to be built.

The plaza will be constructed where a bank building once stood at 7056 Sunrise Blvd. The building was demolished earlier this year to make way for a new 7,759-square-foot retail building. Prior plans for an ARCO gas station at the site were withdrawn amid vocal opposition from residents.

From 2018: Developer withdraws controversial proposal for new ARCO on Sunrise Blvd

Roseville-based Wells Construction is working on the project, with a target opening date in Spring 2021.

A sign announcing Starbucks will be operating at the site can be seen from Sunrise Boulevard. The building is planned to have a total of six retail suites with a drive through for the coffee shop, according to Construction Superintendent Steve Johnston.

Johnston told The Sentinel in an interview Monday that workers had to excavate five feet below the planned site elevation to ensure the ground is stable. He said water tables were found at the site, and crews are now conducting an engineered fill. Building foundation and framing is still months away, he said.

Although he said recent wildfires have adversely affected the price and availability of wood for construction projects, Johnston hopes to stay on schedule. He said a project this size can employ more than a hundred skilled workers throughout the course of construction, with his company making an effort to hire local contractors for the job.

“We always try to make sure that we’re in the community with who we can use, who’s local around here,” he said, later adding “I’ve never seen so many grown men excited to go to work.”

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