More than six weeks ago, Action News Jax reported on a dental clinic in San Marco struggling due to city construction affecting patient access. Today, the situation persists, and the clinic is even facing bankruptcy.
Dr. Sharmilla Anand, owner of San Marco Smiles, said that since April, the parking lot behind her clinic has been closed to patients due to city flood control projects. This has led to numerous appointment cancellations, a sharp drop in revenue, and the potential for a long-term loss of patients.
After the report in late June drew attention, City Councilman Matt Carlucci referred the matter to the City Public Works Department.
In an internal email, Supervisor Nina Sickler acknowledged the situation as “frustrating” and pledged to work with the contractor to improve access.
The city also approved five temporary parking spaces nearby, but Anand believes this is far from enough to compensate for the months of losses.
Bianca Santos, a clinic assistant, added that parking is only part of the problem. “Sometimes the whole building shakes. Patients are already nervous, and now it’s even worse,” she said. “It was better during the pandemic.”
Santos also noted that the constant noise, vibrations, and occasional flooding during construction further impacted the patient experience.
Anand is continuing to demand an explanation from the city about the delays in repairs, what the site investigation revealed, and how future construction will protect small businesses like hers. Action News Jax has reached out to the Department of Public Works for a response and is still awaiting a response.