Construction underway at Sierra Self Storage

As a lone trencher tore the ground at Sierra Self Storage on Tuesday, owner Jerry Clark looked on, counting himself lucky to be among the few businesspeople expanding at a time of economic uncertainty.

The sounds of construction — noticeably absent in recent years as the building industry has gone into an extended slump — echoed in the early morning as the machine cut eight-inch deep furrows in preparation for the first pour of concrete.

New commercial construction permits in Porterville remain few and far in between, however. Only one has been issued since January.

“We’re just excited that in this economy, we’re expanding, we’re moving,” Clark said.

The southern portion of town, where Sierra Self Storage is situated, would be one of the beneficiaries were the smaller section of South Jaye Street to be connected to its larger counterpart and widened, as the City of Porterville plans.

In the next five months, Sierra Self Storage will expand its offerings with three new storage buildings — the first of which is expected to be completed in about three weeks.

Wider doors and a two foot increase in height, compared to those currently in use at the storage company, will make the facilities the largest of their kind in Porterville, Clark said.

Because Porterville is home to a number of storage companies, even small changes such as the greater dimensions of the new structures are important in the war for customers.

“When you’re talking about a 10 by 12 [foot] box, you really have to be creative,” Clark said.

All three are slated to be ready for use come August.

In addition to the storage rooms, the company also houses recreational vehicles and boats.

Although they are currently situated at the front of the business, the vehicles will soon be relocated to a three-acre piece of land which abuts the storage facilities.

The area will be paved and outfitted with lights and security before the RVs and boats are moved.
Clark attributes his business’ success to its focus on the details — a warm front office, stocked with coffee and cookies, and an overall “clean, inviting atmosphere.”

“We’ve only been here about two and a half years, but it’s working,” he said.

By the end of the year, he hopes the City will have finished the South Jaye Street project and drive more traffic to southern Porterville.

“It will put this part of town on the map,” Clark said.

--Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.