March 30, 2004 > Evicted!

You have been in business for many years.
You are a good citizen.
You have paid your taxes.
You are not rich.
Your business requires a significant amount of retail/warehouse space.
You are in a retail business with a local customer base.
You are located in a redevelopment district.

You receive a letter, dated March 10, 2004 which reads, in part:

"Notice is hereby given that the Developer elects to terminate your tenancy in ninety (90") days beginning March 15, 2004 and ending June 13, 2004 and you are hereby required to quit and deliver up possession of the property you occupy on or before June 13, 2004. If you do not vacate the premises by that date, the Developer will initiate legal proceedings to recover possession of the premises, along with rents and damages."

What happens now? How much will you be compensated for disruption of business? Can you afford to move? How will moving expenses be reimbursed? Where can you relocate? Who will help with these problems?

This dilemma is not theoretical. Several businesses in the path of redevelopment construction either have faced these issues in the past or face them now. In the next issue of Tri-City Voice, we will investigate the problems associated with business relocation when in the path of a redevelopment agency.