Business owners say Montebello Boulevard construction has blocked customers and hurt sales

Business owners from a stretch of Montebello Boulevard told the council that a recent resurfacing project has limited customer access, reduced parking and hurt sales.

Shahan Savoyan, who said he represents My Car Broker, told the council that the resurfacing blocked the primary northbound entrance to his business and that "sales are down by 50% since the construction started." He said customers were unfamiliar with alternate routes, some drivers had received $500 U-turn tickets while attempting to reach the business, and owners had not been notified in advance.

Michael Carlos Reyes, who owns a business next to the affected stretch, described left-turn restrictions that force drivers to detour and said only three parking spots remain on Montebello Boulevard near his storefront. Sarkis and Denise Hagopian, the latter representing about 25 businesses including Heavenly Choice, said removal of parking and the addition of a center island have made it harder for customers and employees to reach the block; Hagopian estimated workers add about 15 minutes to their commute and called the project "a disaster" without adequate owner notice.

Speakers asked the council to consider adding U-turns or more left-turn access, restore parking where possible, and to ensure more robust notice to property owners about major street changes. No formal action to change the construction plan was recorded during the meeting; staff said earlier that some projects and traffic decisions conform to prior plans and contracts but that the city would continue to monitor impacts.

What’s next: Business owners requested follow-up from staff and the city attorney to review notification procedures; the council did not vote on street changes during the meeting.