Businesses inside Sierra Vista Mall raise concerns over broken air conditioning

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- As triple-digit temperatures are expected to hit Central California, several businesses inside Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis say they are dealing with ongoing air conditioning problems.

Employees at multiple stores told ABC30 that broken air conditioning has been an ongoing issue. While some businesses had functioning cooling systems, others relied on portable air conditioning units and fans to keep workers and customers comfortable.

Inside Famous Footwear, several portable air conditioning units were operating to help cool the store. At a skate shop, fans were running alongside portable air conditioners. Conditions varied throughout the mall, with some stores noticeably warmer than others.

Some shoppers also said they felt the heat inside the building.

"It was a bit warm and stuffy," said Jessica Torres, a Clovis resident.

ABC30 spoke with multiple stores inside the mall. None agreed to appear on camera, but employees expressed concerns about the ongoing air conditioning issues.

The concerns come as Sierra Vista Mall serves as a cooling center for the City of Clovis.

City officials said they were aware of reports regarding challenges with the mall's air conditioning system. Chad Fitzgerald of the Clovis Fire Department said officials have visited the mall twice.

"We had heard that there may have been some challenges with the air conditioning system. However, we have gone out there twice now and every time we've gone out of concern for both the public and the mall, the mall is cool down the corridor. There are patrons shopping," Fitzgerald said.

Sierra Vista Mall is overseen by Namdar Realty Group, a New York-based company that manages several malls in California, including one in Citrus Heights. In Citrus Heights, city leaders issued more than $300,000 in code enforcement and public nuisance fines after pressuring the company over upkeep at another mall property.

ABC30 reached out to Sierra Vista Mall and Namdar Realty Group for comment but had not received a response.

Clovis city leaders said residents seeking relief from the heat can also use the lobbies at City Hall, the transit center, and local police and fire department facilities to cool off.

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