The train to nowhere is causing businesses to close, jobs to be lost and slums created. Ground zero for this economic destruction is Fresno.
“A downtown Fresno restaurant owner was taken by surprise when major construction began on his patio without prior notification.
Ian Cookson, owner of Libelula Restaurant, discovered the high-speed rail electrical project underway after midnight on March 4, when construction crews removed a significant portion of concrete from his patio.
“When I spoke to the construction foreman, he said they had permission from the property owner to do this and when we talked to the landowner, she actually asked them not to do this here but they came and did it anyway,” Cookson said.
PG&E confirmed the project is linked to the High-Speed Rail and stated that they have a cooperative agreement allowing critical infrastructure work.”
“Cooperative agreement”? No one told the business owner. No one asked him to cooperate. This is how the high speed rail operates—they will run you over—even without a train. Shame on the city of Fresno for allowing this.
Fresno restaurant owner blindsided by high-speed rail construction
by Rich Rodriguez, Fox 26, 3/11/25 https://kmph.com/news/local/fresno-restaurant-owner-blindsided-by-high-speed-rail-construction
FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A downtown Fresno restaurant owner was taken by surprise when major construction began on his patio without prior notification.
Ian Cookson, owner of Libelula Restaurant, discovered the high-speed rail electrical project underway after midnight on March 4, when construction crews removed a significant portion of concrete from his patio.
“When I spoke to the construction foreman, he said they had permission from the property owner to do this and when we talked to the landowner, she actually asked them not to do this here but they came and did it anyway,” Cookson said.
PG&E confirmed the project is linked to the High-Speed Rail and stated that they have a cooperative agreement allowing critical infrastructure work.
“High Speed Rail is accountable for notifying PG&E’s residential and business customers who may be affected by their work. We apologize for any inconvenience in this case,” PG&E said.
The construction has left a hole in the sidewalk, now covered with asphalt, which Cookson said has impacted his business.
“The last thing I want my customers to have to deal with is the smell of hot oil while they try to eat food that we work hard to make food taste a certain way, look a certain way,” he said.
Cookson noted the project has already affected sales and expressed concern about future business impacts. “It’s already affected our sales and I can only imagine that when we’re peak business that it’s gonna suffer even more,” he said.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority, along with its contractor, the City of Fresno, and PG&E, met with Cookson to discuss the ongoing work.
They aim to complete restoration in front of Libelula by the end of March, weather permitting.
