Businesses React to Warriors Arena Go-Ahead

The mood is mixed among businesses in the immediate vacinity of 140 Front St., the site of .

Patch asked a handful of business owners and managers what they think the impact will be of the new arena to the area and to their businesses.

While some are welcoming it as a chance to turn the neighborhood between the beach and downtown around, others aren't sure if they'll even be open to see the arena's tent roof pitched. 

"If it goes up, we'll probably have to move," an associate manager, who asked to remain anonymous, at , located immediately across the street from the parking lot where the facility will be built, said. "They're going to want to turn some space into a parking garage, and it might be this property."

He said that the same company that owns the 140 Front St. property, the Santa Cruz Seaside Company, also owns the lot Wheel Works sits on.

The manager called the project an overall good idea, just not for his business.

"It'll be good for other businesses, but it's not going to be good for us," he said. "People are going to want to park in our lot, and I don't expect that to have a positive impact for us."

He also didn't know if a sport other than disc golf would take in this town.

"Santa Cruz really isn't a 'basketball town,'" he said. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

Abra Allen, owner of , located at 131 Front St., said she was cautiously optimistic about the impact the facility will have for her business and the surrounding neighborhood.

"Our neighborhood is very transitional," she said. "We are really working on creating an identity here between the beach and downtown, and hopefully [the arena] will help us form one and turn us into an actual destination instead of one people just pass through."

Allen said she hopes the facility will be family friendly, a vibe that translates to the immediate community.

While issues like parking and traffic are worrisome, Allen said her biggest concern is that the city treats all property owners in the area equally and doesn't show favoritism towards the Warriors.

"All the small businesses that have been here, we've paid our dues in terms of steep traffic and parking impact fees," she said. "I just hope the city is consistent with how they deal with the arena owners and if they are not charging them the same fees as us that that money can fairly come from somewhere."

Parking is most certainly an issue for Karla Lotts, owner of Lotts' Auto Stereo & Upholstery at 600 Pacific Ave.

"My main concern will be parking," she said. "I think people are going to park along the street out front [of our business], which will be difficult to deal with."

Lotts and her husband, Ron, said that, overall, they think the arena will be a positive addition to the neighborhood.

"It's going to be a great way to bring people downtown," Ron said. "We deal with beach traffic all the time, so that's not something we're too worried about."

Greg Solow, owner of Greg Solow's Engine Room at 125 Front St., said he didn't have too much of an opinion about the arena, though he could see one positive outcome of the increased traffic.

"I don't think people going to a basketball game are going to be looking for auto repair," he said, "But hey, if it means more visibility for my business, that's a good thing."